Water

Governor Hochul secures $185 million for New York water infrastructure

(UI) — Governor Kathy Hochul has secured over $185 million for water infrastructure projects across New York. The Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors has given the green light to provide financial assistance for vital water infrastructure improvements throughout the state.

Illinois American Water to upgrade Village of Broadlands water system with new acquisition

Illinois American Water plans to invest in the first year on critical infrastructure, including installation of water meters and other projects to enhance water quality and system reliability.

Michigan appeals court upholds decision striking down water rules on PFAS

In a 2-1 opinion Tuesday affirming a 2022 decision by a lower court, the appeals court didn’t address the merits of adopting tougher drinking water standards. Rather, it said the state failed to estimate the cost of any groundwater cleanup that could be associated with the new rules.

East Canton clean water disconnection program addresses sewer capacity and growth

(UI) — To prevent a costly replacement of sewer infrastructure and potential rate hikes, the new program offers eligible sewer customers in East Canton, Ohio, financial assistance—covering up to 75% of the expenses—to disconnect clean water sources from their sanitary sewer connections.

New York governor commits $20 million to Erie County water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — The allocation will enable the Erie County Water Authority (ECWA) to embark on a long-anticipated $80 million modernization project, including the renewal of water filters responsible for treating 60 million daily gallons from Lake Erie.

Xcel Energy building underground barrier to contain radioactive water in Minnesota

The energy company responsible for leaking radioactive material from its nuclear plant in Monticello, Minnesota, in recent months has announced that it will build an underground metal barrier to keep affected groundwater away from the nearby Mississippi River.

Federal judge orders utility to turn over customer information amid reports of improper water use

In a Monday court filing, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate granted a motion by Ted Henifin — the federally appointed interim manager of Jackson’s water and sewer systems — that compels Entergy Mississippi to turn over names, addresses and contact information for customers in over 30 zip codes in the area.

Water Well Trust, H2Alabama partner to drill, rehabilitate water wells in rural Alabama

To date, the Water Well Trust has been involved in drilling or rehabilitating over 464 water wells and 28 septic systems serving 511 households across the U.S., many of which were USDA projects.

Four states decline federal funds to find, replace lead water pipes, AP discovers

Washington, Oregon, Maine and Alaska declined all or most of their federal funds in the first of five years that the mix of grants and loans is available, The Associated Press found.

Maui water deemed unsafe post-fire, filters ineffective in addressing contamination

The Maui fires damaged hundreds of drinking water pipes, resulting in a loss of pressure that can allow toxic chemicals along with metals and bacteria into water lines.

First aqueduct water pipeline rehabilitated with geopolymer for SDCWA

(UI) — When the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) inspected its First Aqueduct water conveyance system in Valley Center, engineers identified that rehabilitation was required. Groundwater was infiltrating three tunnels within the system and rehabilitation was required to maintain the tunnels’ structural integrity and extend their service life.

EPA removes Smithtown Groundwater Contamination Site from National Priorities List

In 2005, EPA began installing service lines to connect people’s homes to the public water that is regulated and regularly tested. In addition, EPA extended the water main so all the impacted homes could be connected.

Michigan to address PFAS groundwater contamination near military base

Two systems will be deployed to address the spread of PFAS, an abbreviation for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in groundwater near the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan.

Mandan and MDU partner to bury power lines along North Dakota highway

(UI) — Mandan officials are collaborating with Montana Dakota Utilities (MDU) to enhance North Dakota's highway infrastructure by burying nearby power lines and installing an underground storm sewer.

Biden administration allocates $200 million in federal infrastructure grants to upgrade water tunnels

Some of the 169 projects that make up the first batch in a $1 billion initiative being rolled out over five years under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would upgrade the culverts to allow water — and fish — to flow more freely.

Proposal aims to enhance gas, water pipelines across federal lands near Rifle, Colorado

(UI) — The proposal involves the construction of natural gas and produced water pipelines crossing federal land south of Rifle, Colorado, covering a total of seven miles. This includes 2.9 miles through U.S. National Forest land, 2.1 miles across Bureau of Land Management territory, and another 2.1 miles over private property.

Wint raises $35 million to propel AI-driven leak detection solutions

(UI) — Wint, a 'water intelligence' startup from Israel, has successfully secured $35 million in funding for its cutting-edge water management system that merges AI-driven software with connected hardware to promptly identify and mitigate leaks.

EPA funds Wyoming's stormwater collection, sewer system upgrades

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated funding from the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to support Wyoming communities in addressing stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs.

Jacobs selected to oversee major water management program in California

The program encompasses a series of new integrated water infrastructure projects, including intra-basin recycled water conveyance and groundwater injection and replenishment.

Water infrastructure across the country vulnerable to climate change, AP reports

Recent federal spending packages commit billions of dollars to upgrading the nation’s water systems, but the roughly $55 billion for upgrades in the Biden administration’s $1 trillion infrastructure law represent a fraction of what’s needed to address climate-related risks to water and sewage systems.

Governor Ivey pledges $67 million to 27 water and sewer projects across Alabama

(UI) — Governor Kay Ivey has unveiled a comprehensive plan for over $67 million in funding across 27 projects. These transformative initiatives, backed by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, are set to rejuvenate sewer infrastructure, elevate water quality standards, and enhance vital research and recreational access points.

LAN, Houston Public Works project earns state-wide recognition

Houston Public Works (HPW), Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam Inc. (LAN), and Harper Brothers Construction LLC (HBC) received the Texas Chapter of the American Public Works Association (TX-APWA) 2023 Project of the Year Award for Environment, $25-to-$75 million category, for the SWTP 72-inch Water Line   from Emancipation to Tuam.

New Jersey invests $15.2 million to revitalize Monmouth Country infrastructure

(UI) — New Jersey American Water has announced a $15.2 million investment to replace over five miles of aging water main in Fair Haven, Middletown Township, and Union Beach, beginning this summer. The company will upgrade water lines that were installed as far back as the 1920s.

Colorado receives federal grant to remove lead pipes from childcare facilities

Lead remediation actions may include but are not limited to the removal, installation, and replacement of lead pipes or lead connectors and other lead-free apparatus related to drinking water.

City of Houston loses 30 billion gallons of water due to failing water infrastructure

The city of Houston lost 30 billion gallons of water in 2022 and 9 billion gallons so far in 2023 due to aging infrastructure. The loss comes despite spending over $34 million to repair water pipes across the metropolitan area.

EPA protects Hawaiian groundwater with illegal cesspool closures

Cesspools are used more widely in Hawai’i than any other state and pose a unique challenge as groundwater provides 95% of all water supply for the islands.

Kent County Water Authority joins PFAS groundwater contamination lawsuit against 3M, Dupont

The costs to remove of these toxic ‘forever chemicals’ has created a financial burden for the Kent County Water Authority, and initiation of this litigation and the terms of the proposed settlement will allow KCWA to hold the PFAS manufacturers financially accountable for the costs, expenses and impacts caused by this contamination.

Ohio governor awards $135 million to 90 water infrastructure improvement projects

(UI) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik have announced grant awards totaling $135 million that will support 90 critical water infrastructure projects in 64 counties throughout the state.

South Dakota receives federal grant to remove lead in school drinking water

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $426,000 in grant funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to remove lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities across South Dakota.

Illinois American Water meets EPA drinking water requirements in Cahokia Heights

The EPA’s order was issued to both Illinois American Water and the city of Cahokia Heights in August 2021 based on violations and significant deficiencies found during an inspection of the two water systems.