Water
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.
Virginia American Water to invest over $1 million on water infrastructure upgrades in Northumberland, Westmoreland counties
The acquired assets include seventeen separate water systems in Northumberland and Westmoreland Counties, serving 275 residential water connections.
Islamorada Transmission Main Replacement Project reaches halfway mark two months ahead of schedule
In April 2023, crews began installing the new, cathodically protected transmission main via open-cut trench installation along US 1. Additionally, 900 feet of new transmission main has also been installed underwater at Tea Table Relief bridge crossing via horizontal directional drill (HDD), to protect it from high winds and storm surges.
EPA allocates $450 million to improve water infrastructure in four states
(UI) — The federal government has recently allocated over $450 million in funding for water projects in California, Colorado, Florida, and Washington.
Wisconsin governor greenlights funds for PFAS eradication in stormwater, sewer systems
(UI) — Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have announced new funding available to help communities address per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in wastewater.
Nebraska senator secures $20 million in funding for critical water infrastructure projects
(UI) — Sen. Deb Fischer's measure was overwhelmingly passed Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee, securing more than $20 million for water infrastructure projects across Nebraska.
Joint project aims to enhance wastewater capacity, infrastructure in Ridgefield, Washington
(UI) — In a collaborative effort, the Port of Ridgefield, City of Ridgefield, and Clark Regional Wastewater District are teaming up for a joint project that aims to enhance wastewater capacity and infrastructure in Ridgefield, Washington.
Washington utilities commission sets new rates to reflect water system infrastructure upgrades
Major investments made in Washington Water’s systems include 7,200 feet of new 4-, 8-, and 12-inch water main to replace aging pipes, reduce leaks, and enhance reliability, as well as a new well that can produce up to 275 gallons of water per minute.
Essential Utilities to upgrade Shenandoah water infrastructure with $12 million acquisition
Parts of the Shenandoah system’s water infrastructure date back to the 1800s. MABS currently has $5.5 million in debt, and the system deals with frequent outages and main leaks. Water loss is estimated at some 60%.
Sypris wins contract for largest water pipeline project in Oklahoma history
Sypris has agreed to manufacture and supply its Tube Turns-branded monolithic Insulated Joints for cathodic protection of the new 72-inch polyethylene-coated and cement-mortar lined steel pipeline.
Study reveals gaps in resilience planning for US stormwater sector
(UI) — In a recent study conducted by the Water Environment Federation (WEF), critical resilience gaps were found in the U.S. stormwater sector, highlighting challenges in adapting to climate change impacts and addressing aging infrastructure, funding shortages, and workforce needs.
Northern California's water infrastructure secures $40 million to enhance drought resilience
(UI) — Rep. Mike Thompson has announced that two water storage and conveyance projects in Northern California, Sites Reservoir and Los Vaqueros Reservoir, are receiving $30 million and $10 million respectively in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
22 attorneys urge federal court to reject $10.3 billion PFAS contamination settlement
The deal announced in June doesn’t give individual water suppliers enough time to determine how much money they would get and whether it would cover their costs of removing the compounds known collectively as PFAS, said the officials with 19 states, Washington, D.C., and two territories.
Illinois' Dixmoor receives $14 million to rehabilitate water infrastructure, remove lead pipes
(UI) — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced that $14 million in funding has been awarded to Dixmoor to rehabilitate its water distribution system, restore reliable potable water and replace lead service lines.
6 days after fuel spill reported, most in Tennessee city still can’t drink the tap water
Many of the 40,000 people who live and work in the Memphis suburb of Germantown remained under an order Wednesday to avoid using water for everything except flushing toilets. They can't drink or boil tap water, or use it for showering or bathing.
New Jersey American Water identifies over 24,000 lead water service lines in need of replacement
New Jersey American Water is well on its way to meeting New Jersey’s 10-year lead service line replacement target — with more than 4,000 lead and galvanized steel water service lines replaced to date.
Biden administration grants $58 million to remove lead from drinking water in Boston schools
The grants will help local communities test for lead in drinking water, identify potential sources of the contamination, and take steps to address the problem, said Radhika Fox, the Environmental Protection Agency’s assistant administrator for water.
Mesa, Ariz., commences $180 million pipeline project to bolster water supply amid drought
(UI) — The goal of the project is to construct a pipe that will join a recycling water delivery system that currently serves the Gila River Indian Community. All of this is a result of a 15-year-old exchange arrangement between Mesa and Gila River.
Residents of Tennessee city ordered to avoid using tap water after fuel spill
Residents of a Tennessee city must keep avoiding using their tap water after diesel fuel being used to power a generator at a treatment plant leaked into a reservoir, officials said Friday.
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority wins grant to replace 1,200 lead service lines
(UI) — State Senator Wayne Fontana announced that approximately 1,200 lead service lines in Allegheny County would be replaced with the nearly $15 million in funding from PENNVEST, ensuring clean and reliable drinking water for future generations.
- Tunnel boring machine ‘Clack-A-Mole’ nears one-third completion in Oregon outfall project
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Texas A&M weighs underground transit plan with Elon Musk's Boring Co. to reduce campus traffic
- Wyo-Ben’s Max Gel, Max Bore HDD system boost drilling efficiency, performance
- Federal court halts permits for 32-mile Tennessee gas pipeline project
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Elgin, Ill., joins EPA drinking water initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement
- Dog River pipeline replacement in Oregon improves water supply with new HDPE pipe
- Leaking wastewater systems named top source of San Diego River contamination, study finds
- New Portable Welding System From Miller