Water Rehabilitation

Storms end Southern California water restrictions for 7 million residents

California’s 11th atmospheric river left the storm-soaked state with a bang Wednesday, bringing flooded roadways, landslides and toppled trees to the southern part of the state as well as drought-busting rainfall that meant the end of water restrictions for nearly 7 million people.

Alabama House approves $660 million in funding for water, sewer, broadband upgrades

The Alabama House on Tuesday advanced a plan to use the state’s final $1 billion in federal pandemic relief funds mostly on a mix of water and sewer infrastructure, broadband expansion and health care reimbursements.

EPA to limit toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed the first federal limits on harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water, a long-awaited protection the agency said will save thousands of lives and prevent serious illnesses, including cancer.

Las Vegas water agency seeks power to limit residential use

State lawmakers on Monday are scheduled to discuss granting the power to limit what comes out of residents’ taps to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the agency managing the Colorado River supply to the city. If lawmakers approve the bill, Nevada would be the first state to give a water agency permanent jurisdiction over the amount of residential use.

Mississippi lawmakers stop effort to take over Jackson water

Mississippi lawmakers are giving up on an effort to create a state-dominated board to oversee the troubled water system in the state’s capital city.

Much of Florida Keys loses water pressure after main break

Much of the Florida Keys lost water pressure after a water main broke, blocking traffic along the main roadway on the chain of islands and forcing businesses to close early. It was the third time a water main broke in the past week in the Florida Keys.

TEPCO to select water treatment proposals for radioactive water

The water to be treated comes from the Advanced Liquid Processing System. This system removes the main radioactive isotopes present in the radioactive water, with the exception of tritium, which is stored in tanks.

Governor Polis signs proposal to fund 60 drinking water projects across Colorado

(UI) — The state of Colorado will now be providing funding for about 60 drinking water projects across the state, according to legislation that was signed last month by Governor Jared Polis.

Alabama to spend $400 million in funding on water, sewer infrastructure; $260 million on broadband

Alabama will spend the remaining $1 billion of its pandemic relief funds largely on a mixture of water and sewer infrastructure, broadband expansion and healthcare reimbursements, under a bill introduced Wednesday.

Communities await first US limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to propose restrictions on harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water after finding they are dangerous in amounts so small as to be undetectable. But experts say removing them will cost billions, a burden that will fall hardest on small communities with few resources.

Mayor: Water pressure should return to NJ city after break

Officials say water pressure should gradually return to a small New Jersey city across the Hudson River from Manhattan stricken by a water main break that left most residents with no water service or low water pressure.

$80 million project installs over 9.5 miles of new water mains, sewers in three NY neighborhoods

(UI) — The project replaced over five miles (26,815 ft) of older distribution water mains with new pipes ranging from 8 inches to 24 inches in diameter throughout Bayside, Auburndale and Flushing neighborhoods. More than two miles of new trunk water mains were also added, which included 5,775 ft of 72-inch mains and 8,295 ft of 48-inch mains.

USG becomes independent company to provide water asset management and rehabilitation services

USG’s offerings include maintenance services for water storage tanks, pipe networks, and concrete structures in water and wastewater plants.

Vortex Companies adds small diameter pipe UV curing technology to UV CIPP solution suite

(UI) — MICROcure is specifically engineered to reline sewer mains, laterals, and interior plumbing systems ranging from 3-inch to 10-inch in diameter and works with both inversion and CIPP methods. Designed for portability, MICROcure is built on a two-wheel carriage and weighs only 176 pounds.

Ridgewood, IDE partner with City of Fort Lauderdale for new water treatment plant

Ridgewood Infrastructure and IDE Technologies announced the closing of a public private partnership with the City of Fort Lauderdale to design, build, and operate a new 50 million gallon per day water treatment plant – the Prospect Lake Clean Water Center.

Washington State boil water advisory reveals problems with existing infrastructure

Snohomish County in Washington experienced a small water main break in late January 2023. While the city was able to repair the rupture, a second break followed the next day, prompting a boil water advisory that is still in effect. The boil water advisory has revealed multiple problems with the city’s infrastructure.

Vermont’s wastewater infrastructure deemed “poor” by engineering group

(UI) — The Vermont section of the American Society of Civil Engineers released the 2023 Report Card for Vermont’s Infrastructure on Feb. 16, in which the state’s wastewater infrastructure received a grade of “D+.” Likewise, Vermont's drinking water and stormwater infrastructure received “C” scores. According to the report, a C is considered “mediocre,” while a D is “poor.”

Water coalition urges California governor to improve water infrastructure in San Joaquin Valley

(UI) — The Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley sent Governor Newsom a letter regarding the recent storms California received and proposed projects to improve the state’s water systems to support fluctuations in rainfall after years of drought.

Philadelphia awarded $340 million for water infrastructure, lead pipe replacement projects

(UI) — Portions of Philadelphia’s drinking water systems are approaching the end of their useful life and need significant upgrades to continue to deliver clean and safe water to the residents of Philadelphia. The initial loan of $19.8 million will modernize critical drinking water infrastructure by replacing approximately 160 lead service lines and 15 miles of watermains throughout the city.

Texas lawmakers to push water infrastructure upgrades to forefront of legislative agenda

(UI) — For the upcoming fiscal year, Texas is anticipated to have a record surplus. Now, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is hoping to direct some of that money toward much-needed renovations to the state's water infrastructure.

Pumping Mississippi River water west: solution or dream?

While the much-needed water has improved conditions in the parched West, experts warn against claiming victory. About 60% of the region remains in some form of drought, continuing a decades-long spiral into water scarcity.

South Dakota lawmakers consider $220 million for housing, water

South Dakota lawmakers are considering a pair of infrastructure funding bills that would allocate over $220 million to housing and water supply projects.

Governor Hochul invests additional $143 million into New York water infrastructure projects

(UI) — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $143 million in financial assistance for seven water infrastructure improvement projects, the latest action to upgrade New York's water and sewer systems, reduce water pollution, and safeguard vital drinking water supplies.

Louisiana lawmakers award $357 million in sewer, water projects

(UI) — Louisiana lawmakers have approved $356.7 million for 87 sewer and water upgrades around the state during their Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget meeting held in December.

Idaho awarded $263 million for wastewater upgrades, to help recharge Boise River water supply

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $263 million loan to Boise, Idaho, to improve the city’s wastewater treatment processes to protect the Boise River’s water quality and ultimately recharge the drought-burdened Boise River with high-quality effluent.

Biden-Harris administration invests $84 million in 36 drought resiliency projects

(UI) — The selected projects will help bring clean, reliable drinking water to communities across the West through investments in innovative drought resilience efforts, such as groundwater storage, rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, water reuse, ion exchange treatment, and other methods to stretch existing water supplies.

New Jersey water commission receives go-ahead to upgrade cast iron water pipes

(UI) — Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) has received approval for four engineering contracts to begin the initial studies necessary to make improvements to its aging cast iron water pipes, PVWC Executive Director Jim Mueller announced.

EPA awards New Jersey $500 million to modernize wastewater, drinking water infrastructure

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Thursday a $500 million loan to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to modernize wastewater and drinking water systems serving over 10 million people throughout New Jersey.

North Carolina to invest $19 million for water infrastructure upgrades in Yadkin, Surry counties

(UC) — Governor Roy Cooper announced on Dec. 20 North Carolina’s Yadkin and Surry counties would receive $4 million for floodplain resiliency improvements, $8.1 million for water treatment plant filter and clear well replacements and $6.9 million for meters and water line replacements.

Virginia’s wastewater infrastructure receives “poor” rating by engineering group

(UI) — The Virginia Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released the 2022 Report Card for Virginia's Infrastructure on Tuesday, where 11 categories of infrastructure received an overall grade of a “C”. Specifically, the state’s water infrastructure received a grade of “D+”. According to the report, a C is considered “mediocre” while a D is “poor.”