Water
AI platform for water infrastructure management gains traction with new investment
CRH Ventures has announced a Series A investment in VODA.ai. To date, VODA.ai's proprietary platform has analyzed over one million miles of pipe across 26 U.S. states and six countries, enabling utilities to prioritize the protection of critical infrastructure and efficiently allocate resources.
Pennsylvania American Water to replace over 350 lead lines in Pittsburgh, Mt. Oliver
Pennsylvania American Water will begin inspecting and replacing over 350 lead service lines in Pittsburgh and Mt. Oliver starting June 16.
COREAQUA launches to address critical infrastructure needs across North America
As a family of companies, COREAQUA delivers integrated solutions for watermain rehabilitation and end-to-end water transfer, helping municipalities extend the life of critical infrastructure while protecting water quality. COREAQUA's formation is intended to align technical knowledge, field experience, and manufacturing capabilities under one brand.
Trump decision may cut 90% of federal funding for W. Va. water and sewer projects
A recent proposal from the Trump administration could cut federal funding for clean and drinking water programs in West Virginia by 89%, the Mountain State Spotlight reported. For fiscal year 2025, the EPA has earmarked an initial $35.6 million for West Virginia through the two programs. But under the proposed cut, the state’s annual funds for the programs could fall to under $4 million.
Texas Legislature advances major water bill, eyes $1 billion in infrastructure funding
Texas lawmakers have approved legislation that could unlock $1 billion annually for water infrastructure and groundwater research, pending voter approval this November. The bill also marks the state’s first major investment in local aquifer science.
Vortex partners with EBAA Iron on turnkey water main renewal system
Vortex Companies has announced a strategic partnership with EBAA Iron, a U.S. manufacturer of joint restraints for water and wastewater pipelines. The collaboration combines Vortex trenchless technologies with American manufacturing to offer a scalable, effective solution that's built entirely in the U.S.
Atlanta preps for major infrastructure overhaul one year after water main breaks
According to Axios Atlanta, Saturday marked one year since two major water main breaks on the same day highlighted a larger issue in the city of Atlanta. Since then, officials have been working on a long-term plan to upgrade Atlanta’s aging water infrastructure and prevent similar problems in the future.
Construction underway for $1.4 billion, 60-mile water pipeline in Chicago
Officials in Chicago announced the start of construction on a 60-mile transmission pipeline which will transport water from Lake Michigan to around 250,000 residents in surrounding communities. The total project cost is estimated at around $1.4 billion, NBC5 Chicago News reported.
University of Kentucky wins award for 25-million-gallon stormwater harvesting system
The University of Kentucky’s Utilities and Energy Management team earned a Grand Award for its stormwater harvesting system, which captures and reuses up to 25 million gallons annually to help power the Central Utility Plant.
Arizona groundwater talks stall, leaving rural infrastructure without oversight
A legislative stalemate in Arizona has halted efforts to regulate groundwater, leaving vast underground water supplies in rural areas without oversight; critical infrastructure remains vulnerable amid growing concerns over depletion and drought.
TxDOT breaks ground on massive drainage tunnel to reduce flooding in Austin
The Texas Department of Transportation has launched construction on a 6.5-mile drainage tunnel and pump station system in Austin to prevent flooding along I-35. The multi-phase project is a key part of the I-35 Capital Express Central initiative.
Renovations underway for $62-million water pipeline replacement in Charlottesville, Va.
Construction work kicked off Tuesday, May 27 to replace two 70-year-old raw water pipelines in Charlottesville, Virginia, according to 29 News. The aging pipelines will be replaced with one new four-mile-long pipeline by chosen contractor Thalle Construction, the local water authority reported.
19th century underground water reservoir found during construction in Mass. town
Construction crews in Marblehead, Mass., were surprised to discover an intact underground fire cistern dating back to around 1885, the Marblehead Current reported. The discovery was made as excavation work was underway to transform a local school playground into a community park.
Texas House approves bill to strengthen state's water infrastructure
The Texas House gave initial approval to Senate Bill 7 on Monday, May 26, which if passed, would add $1 billion per year to the Texas Water Fund. Texas Governor Greg Abbott named the bill one of his seven emergency items for the legislative session, citing drought concerns in the state.
New tool allows tribal, local governments to model lead line replacement costs for free
Developed under the leadership of Anthony Ross, former EPA Flint Emergency Coordinator, the Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Calculator (LSLRCC) empowers users to accurately plan and budget for replacing an estimated 9.2 million lead service lines nationwide.
$227 million Garnet Valley water project advances, set to create 73,000 jobs in Nevada
SNWA approved $227 million in contracts for the Garnet Valley water and wastewater system, designed to deliver 20 million gallons per day to the Apex Industrial Complex.
Phase two of Dimock, Pa., public water project begins with pipeline construction
Pennsylvania American Water begins phase two of Dimock’s public water project, installing six miles of pipeline to replace contaminated private wells in Susquehanna County. Completion is expected by mid-2026.
EPA lifts emergency order on Flint, Mich., water, restoring standard lead monitoring
The EPA has lifted its 2016 emergency order on Flint, Mich.’s drinking water, citing full compliance with federal lead standards. City officials vow continued investment in water safety and infrastructure.
Salem, Mass., begins sewer and water infrastructure upgrades across downtown
Salem, Mass., is carrying out sewer and water system upgrades downtown through June, funded in part by a Catalyst Fund grant, with lane closures and temporary water shutdowns expected.
Editor’s Log: Easy come, easy go
In this month’s Editor’s Log, Editor-in-Chief Robert Carpenter reflects on the fleeting nature of federal infrastructure funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, warning that recent budget proposals could undermine years of progress unless states and cities step up to meet the challenge.
Cleveland, Texas, modernizes water system with new advanced metering infrastructure
Cleveland, Texas, completes AMI water system upgrade with Ameresco, improving meter accuracy, cutting costs, and boosting revenue recovery.
Control of Alabama’s largest water utility shifts from Birmingham under new law
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law shifting control of the Birmingham Water Works Board away from the city, sparking a federal lawsuit over alleged racial discrimination and raising concerns over local governance.
Wisconsin Senate passes lead pipes bill, allowing private water utility access to federal funding
According to Wisconsin Public Radio, Republican members of the state's Senate have narrowly passed a bill that will grant access to federal funds to the state's only private water utility, Superior Water, Light & Power Company. The approval would make the company eligible for loans under Wisconsin's Safe Drinking Water Loan Program for lead pipe replacement projects.
Tyler Water Utilities to relocate 5,000 feet of sewer, water lines ahead of highway project
In collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Tyler Water Utilities will relocate approximately 1,800 linear feet of water line and 3,200 linear feet of sewer line to the edge of the existing right-of-way to clear the path for road crews to begin work along Old Henderson Highway.
Kentucky American Water seeks rate increase to support $212 million infrastructure investment
Kentucky American Water has filed a request with the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) for new rates, reflecting more than $212 million in system investments. Among the investments included in the request are the replacement of 30 miles of aging water pipelines.
EPA announces rollback for some Biden-era limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
The EPA is scaling back PFAS regulations under the Trump administration, delaying compliance for PFOA and PFOS while withdrawing limits for other chemicals.
Newsom seeks to fast-track Delta Conveyance Project to bolster California water system
Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing to fast-track the Delta Conveyance Project to modernize California’s State Water Project and address long-term water supply challenges.
Over 200,000 Texas residents face water restrictions as pipeline project nears completion
According to KWTX News, two major water infrastructure projects are nearing completion in Bell County, Texas, and more than 265,000 area residents will need to conserve water later this month to ease complications as the project wraps up.
Veolia lands SFPUC contract to transform wastewater into decarbonized energy
Veolia, through its Water Technologies & Solutions business unit, has earned a $34 million contract to supply biogas upgrading technology for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) Southeast Treatment Plant.
Zeldin’s EPA moves to shield utilities, shift PFAS costs to polluters
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced new steps to tackle PFAS contamination, including testing, discharge limits, and a liability framework to hold polluters accountable.
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- NTSB publishes preliminary report on fatal gas pipeline explosion in Lexington, Mo.
- 290-mile gas pipeline expansion proposed across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina
- Centuri awarded nearly $400 million for U.S. gas infrastructure work
- Ripple Fiber breaks ground on $140 million project, expanding into central Mass.
- Growing Pains and Gains
- Maryland lawmakers push to curb BGE pipeline spending, citing safety and cost concerns
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish