Water

Drought-prone California advances controversial water tunnel project despite environmental opposition

A long-sought and disputed project in drought-prone California aimed at capturing more water during heavy rain storms reached a key milestone on Friday when Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration finished an environmental review for an underground tunnel.

Hawaii secures $75 million federal funding for safe drinking water expansion

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have joined forces to secure $75 million in federal funding for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS).

Regulators’ recommendation would mean 3% lower electric rates for New Mexico residential customers

Staff for New Mexico’s utility regulators have recommended new rates for the state’s largest electric provider that would result in about a 3% decrease for residential customers instead of the 9.7% increase Public Service Co. of New Mexico was seeking.

EPA awards Maryland over $240 million for water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Maryland $240.5 million to support clean water efforts and to better deliver safe drinking water across the state.

Arkansas’ Beaver Water District selects Black & Veatch to lead major water infrastructure design

The scope of work includes rehabilitating aging infrastructure and expanding water storage, pump stations, power generation, pipelines and dewatering facilities by 2032.

Southern California to advance drought resilience with $70 million WIFIA loan

The loan will, in part, help fund a new regional recycled water pipeline to convey treated water for groundwater replenishment.

EPA to award over $30 million to small, rural communities to improve water infrastructure

This grant provides funding to organizations that work side-by-side with water systems by giving them the necessary tools and training to ensure communities have safe drinking water.

Montana challenges EPA rule to protect water quality certifications, foster infrastructure development

(UI) — Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and ten other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule on Dec. 5 stating that it makes "sweeping and unlawful" changes to federal regulations governing state-issued water quality certifications.

West Virginia to receive $109 million from EPA for water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award West Virginia $109.88 million to support improvements to water systems and access to safe drinking water across the state.

Report: Combined U.S. household water, sewer bill increased by 56% since 2012

Across 50 of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas, average monthly household water bills increased to $50.61, and monthly sewer bills reached $71.16, based on average household water consumption.

Washington, D.C., awarded $128 million for water infrastructure upgrades

Projects include remediating stormwater to protect stream water quality, increasing sewer capacity to prevent sewage overflows during storm events, and replacing lead service lines for homes across the city.

EPA awards Pennsylvania nearly $387 million for water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Pennsylvania $386.9 million to support clean water efforts and better deliver safe drinking water across the state.

Congressmen ask DOJ to investigate water utility hack, warning it could happen anywhere

Three members of Congress have asked the U.S. Justice Department to investigate how foreign hackers breached a water authority near Pittsburgh, prompting the nation’s top cyber defense agency to warn other water and sewage-treatment utilities that they may be vulnerable.

Illinois American Water invests $76.7 million in 2023 for local water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — In 2023, Illinois American Water will have invested $297 million in water and wastewater system infrastructure replacement and enhancements throughout the state. Locally, in the company’s Central Division, the capital investment in infrastructure has reached $76.7 million in 2023.

New Jersey American Water agrees to purchase Salem, N.J., water and sewer system

(UI) — New Jersey American Water signed an agreement on Nov. 30 to acquire the water and sewer system of Salem, N.J., for $18 million. This municipally owned system serves more than 2,300 customers.

Westlands Water District builds sustainable water future with ambitious groundwater goal

The district will continue to prioritize groundwater recharge efforts but has also adjusted schedules for select infrastructure projects to ensure efficient water delivery to landowners.

West Virginia to receive over $109 million for water infrastructure upgrades

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award West Virginia $109.88 million to support improvements to water infrastructure and access to safe drinking water across the state.

Miami-Dade water, sewer department invests over $599 million in infrastructure upgrades

WASD’s $7.8 billion multi-year CIP will result in both water and wastewater system-wide enhancements to overcome a vast range of challenges, from addressing aging infrastructure to building capacity and reliability throughout the county's systems.

Arizona to protect residents from PFAS-contaminated drinking water with $30 million investment

The project will increase the resiliency of the water system, which is currently relying on a single pipeline, reducing the need to pump water from a great distance.

Santa Clara Valley Water District to increase water resiliency with $92 million WIFIA loan

The Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Planning and Design Project will assess options to address long-term water storage capacity concerns for customers.

Federal appeals court upholds judge’s dismissal of Dakota Access Pipeline protesters’ lawsuit

A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a federal judge’s 2021 decision dismissing a lawsuit filed by protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline, who alleged law enforcement officers used excessive force during a clash in 2016.

PUC approves Pennsylvania American Water's $230 million acquisition of Butler Area Sewer Authority

(UI) — Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, received approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to purchase the Butler Area Sewer Authority wastewater system for $230 million.

Underground water, sewage lines leaking millions of gallons a year in South Dakota neighborhood, report finds

The results show that water lines have been disturbed by the collapse of soils and are leaking 28,000 gallons a day. The sewage lines are also leaking, the tests show, and some of the sewage is remaining in the pipes and is corroding the underside of manhole covers.

Connecticut breaks ground on $33 million lead service line replacement program

As part of the scope of work, Arcadis is providing planning, design, and construction management services to New London to help identify and eliminate lead service lines throughout the city.

Texas to allocate $1 billion for state-wide water infrastructure projects

The funds will be distributed by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to upgrade existing water systems, fund new projects and financial assistance programs, and create a public water awareness program.

Salem and Manville voters approve selling water, sewer systems to New Jersey American Water

(UI) — Voters in Salem City and the Borough of Manville have decisively approved ballot referendums to transfer water and sewer operations ownership to New Jersey American Water.

Pennsylvania American Water files rate request driven by $1 billion in investment

(UI) — If approved, the company's proposed rates would raise the average monthly water bill by around $17 for residential customers, reduce the monthly wastewater bill for sanitary sewer service by about $5, and increase the monthly wastewater bill for combined sewer service by approximately $4.

Canada, British Columbia invest over $10 million in water and sewer infrastructure projects

(UI) — The governments of Canada and British Columbia, alongside the municipalities of Burns Lake, Fraser Lake, and the District of Mackenzie, are investing over $10 million into three transformative water and wastewater projects.

California American Water completes $4.1 million Ventura County water system upgrades

California American Water recently invested in improving its pumps, piping and electrical equipment in the White Stallion Community in unincorporated Ventura County and within Wildwood Park in the City of Thousand Oaks.

EPA to accelerate nationwide lead pipe removal through new GLO initiative

GLO will specifically help participating communities identify lead services lines, develop replacement plans, and apply for funding to get the lead out.