Water
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority replaces over 18,000 lead service lines with federal infrastructure funding
Since PWSA began its effort to remove the risk of lead in drinking water in 2016, it has replaced over 10,800 public and over 7,600 private lead service lines.
North Carolina to invest $238 million in drinking water, wastewater, stormwater projects
North Carolina is set to allocate $238 million towards water infrastructure projects. The funding will support 114 projects aimed at improving drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
Over $770 million allocated for rural infrastructure projects, including water and internet upgrades
A significant portion of the funding, $644.2 million, is dedicated to bolstering rural utilities, enabling 158 projects to provide clean drinking water and wastewater systems for over 900,000 individuals.
USDA awards $30,000 to Carson, N.D., for water, sewer systems study
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced an award of $30,000 to Carson, North Dakota, to complete a study analyzing the city’s existing water and sewer systems.
California American Water bolsters drought-preparedness with underground aquifer replenishment initiative
This initiative captures excess winter flows from the Carmel River, strategically replenishing underground aquifers. ASR is made possible by a well, pump and booster station network along the Carmel River and the award-winning parallel pipeline and booster project California American Water installed along General Jim Moore Boulevard to transport ASR water.
EPA allocates over half a billion dollars for California water infrastructure upgrades
Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach disadvantaged and underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure. This vital funding will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state.
Challenges of repairing rural water lines in urbanizing areas
To make repairs, the BCWA team has primarily relied on trackhoes (backhoe loaders) and mini excavators. However, in some environments, using these common equipment fleet staples of most rural water associations can potentially cause additional damage that will need to be addressed.
Funding still flowing despite economic headwinds, challenges
The last two years in America’s municipal infrastructure industry have seen tremendous increases in project activities driven primarily by significant boosts in government funding. If you happened to be a consulting engineer, contractor or manufacturer/supplier, business has been good. Now, 2024 has the potential to be a great year for many in infrastructure.
Massachusetts Clean Water Trust approves $44.7 million in water infrastructure funding
The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust's Board of Trustees has greenlit $44,768,312 in new low-interest loans and grants during its February 14, 2024, meeting, aimed at bolstering water infrastructure across the state.
Canada's Oak Bay to receive $8.8 million sewer system overhaul
Stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in Oak Bay is set to undergo a significant transformation, thanks to a combined investment exceeding $8.8 million from the federal and provincial governments, alongside contributions from the District of Oak Bay.
Rhode Island seeks input on Woonsocket's clean water infrastructure replacement plan
The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued a public notice seeking feedback on the proposed 2023 update to the Clean Water Infrastructure Replacement Plan for the City of Woonsocket Water Department.
New York to invest $49 million for statewide water infrastructure projects
The Board's approval authorizes municipal access to over $37 million in low-cost short-term financing and previously announced grants to modernize critical drinking water and sewer systems. This infusion of funding will help significantly improve water quality, protect drinking water, and promote economic development in local communities.
EPA begins sewer line inspections, drinking water sampling in Hawai’i following wildfires
These sewer line inspections will allow the County of Maui to prioritize the emergency repairs needed to protect the wastewater treatment plant from excess infiltration of salt water through damaged sewer pipes.
Clarksburg, W.Va., receives $6.88 million for water system upgrades
The $6.88 million has been awarded to the Clarksburg Water Board to replace service lines in the Northview, Rosebud, and Stealey communities, as well as a transmission line off Van Buren Street. It will also repair and remediate a water main break on West Pike Street in downtown Clarksburg.
Federal audit finds ‘a lot of work remains’ in Puerto Rico’s hurricane and earthquake recovery
For example, officials from Puerto Rico’s Aqueduct and Sewer Authority said they anticipate that they will only be able to complete about half of the agency’s planned projects.
South Dakota scrambles to spend $700 million on water infrastructure upgrades by end of 2024
$600 million has been allocated to over 200 water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, but that less than 33% has been spent. Lawmakers are proposing that the unallocated and unspent money go towards project that have already gone through the approval process.
Maine governor fast-tracks $50 million infrastructure resilience plan
Governor Janet Mills plans to invest $50 million in the Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund to help Maine communities rebuild in the wake of the recent devastating storms and ensure their infrastructure can withstand the impacts of extreme storms in the future.
Canton, Ohio, receives $46 million investment for safe drinking water upgrades
Through this investment, the Canton Water Department will ensure high-quality drinking water while creating dozens of good-paying, public-sector jobs operating and maintaining the system for decades to come.
“Startling” report exposes government’s urgent need to increase water infrastructure funding
ABWC’s new Business Impact Fact Sheet, “10 Extreme Water Disasters in 10 Days Shut Down Local Economies Across the Nation,” gathers a list of water infrastructure failures directly tied to extreme weather and business loss in or surrounding major metropolitan areas in all regions of the country between the dates of Jan. 14 and Jan. 23.
Court approves “historic” $1.18 billion settlement with Dupont over PFAS water contamination
The settlements encompass public water systems that have identified PFAS detections in their drinking water sources, along with systems mandated to undergo PFAS contamination testing.
House Republicans aim to expedite infrastructure permitting process with new water legislation
Floor action for the bill, titled “Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting” Act, could begin as early as Monday, Feb. 12.
Washington's Department of Ecology proposes $386 million clean water investment plan
The Department of Ecology in Washington state has proposed $386 million in grants and loans for 134 high-priority clean water projects. These projects aim to upgrade wastewater treatment and sewer systems, manage polluted stormwater, and address nonpoint pollution across the state.
Michigan officials roll out Filter First program targeting clean drinking water in schools
Bipartisan legislation in Michigan allocates $50 million to install lead-reducing water stations in schools and childcare centers, bolstering efforts to eliminate lead in public water supplies.
13 states call on EPA to strengthen lead pipe removal proposal
Last year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended that all lead water pipes in the nation be replaced in a decade to mitigate health risks associated with lead exposure. Now, 13 lawyers from various states have called on the EPA to strengthen that proposal.
Viken successfully pilots new lead pipe detection technology for buried water service lines
Viken’s real-time in-pipe detection techniques for buried lines combined with on-pipe analysis not only ensures safer and more reliable inventorying and removal of fully (or partially) lead-contaminated lines, but also minimizes disturbances to the removal sites and inconveniences to the surrounding communities.
NW Natural Water expands water utility presence in Oregon, Arizona
NW Natural Water Company LLC has expanded further in two states with the acquisitions of Hiland Water Corp.’s water utility business in Newberg, Oregon and Truxton Canyon Water Company and Cerbat Water Company near Kingman, Arizona.
DEQ awards nearly $270,000 to four drinking water and wastewater systems across Idaho
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has announced the award of $267,500 to four drinking water and wastewater systems to help the facilities evaluate system deficiencies and determine necessary upgrades.
Illinois EPA awards over $2.7 million in funding to replace lead service lines in Galena
The city anticipates using the funding to replace approximately 300 lead services lines in the community. Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body over time.
Cadiz, Victor Valley Water Agencies to develop water infrastructure in San Bernardino County
Cadiz's Fenner Gap and VVWRA plan to collaborate with other local agencies on the expansion of pipeline and distribution facilities, advanced water treatment and collaborative recharge basins to cost-effectively capture storm water and manage imported water supplies.
New Mexico governor unveils 50-year water action plan
Governor Michelle Lujan unveiled a water action plan at the State Capitol on Jan. 30 with the goal of ensuring New Mexicans will have access to clean water for the next five decades.
- Intrepid Fiber breaks ground on fiber optic network in Superior, Colo.
- Excavator collides with I-95 overpass in Henrico, Va., causing multi-vehicle crash
- Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts
- Construction worker killed in trench collapse near Prosperity, S.C.
- Two workers rescued after hours trapped in Mich. trench collapse
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- Final construction phase kicks off for Indianapolis deep rock tunnel
- WES tunnel boring machine retrieved from Oregon river after seven-month project
- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes
- Ameren Illinois to invest $140 million in natural gas pipeline replacement program