Water
SAWS’ Andrea Beymer to deliver UIC sewer/water keynote address
Andrea Huizar Beymer, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), will headline the upcoming Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC) with a keynote address that highlights transformative innovation in the water and wastewater industry.
Texas pushes major water infrastructure investment as population growth strains supply
Texas voters will soon decide on Proposition 4, a proposed constitutional amendment to allocate $1 billion annually toward statewide water infrastructure improvements. With rapid population growth and mounting drought and flood challenges, supporters say the measure is vital to modernizing Texas’s aging systems and securing reliable water supplies for cities, rural areas, and industrial development.
Florida crews drill 5,000-foot HDD water line beneath East Bay
Bay County crews are drilling a 5,000-foot water line beneath East Bay to replace an aging bridge-mounted pipe and secure water supply for Tyndall Air Force Base and Mexico Beach. The $6.4 million HDD project is one of the longest of its kind in the U.S.
Corpus Christi approves $170 million groundwater deal, desalination water reserve
Corpus Christi approved two major water supply agreements, including a $169.5 million groundwater deal and a $2.7 million desalination water reserve, to boost long-term regional water security.
Court rejects Green River pipeline plan to move Utah water to Colorado
The Utah Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a plan to export 55,000 acre-feet of Green River water to Colorado, ruling that the developer failed to prove the water could be put to beneficial use outside Utah.
Major water pipe break in Puerto Rico hits over 165,000 customers
A 6-foot water main break in Puerto Rico has left more than 165,000 people without service, triggering school closures and emergency water deliveries across 15 municipalities.
New data show gains in California’s groundwater recovery and resilience
California’s Department of Water Resources reports stable groundwater levels and fewer dry wells statewide as part of its 2025 groundwater progress updates marking 10 years of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
Charlottesville, Va., begins five-mile Central Water Line project
The project includes installing 24- and 30-inch ductile iron water mains connecting the South Rivanna and Observatory water treatment plants.
Largest-ever PENNVEST funding round to improve drinking water across Pennsylvania
Governor Josh Shapiro announced a $547 million investment — the largest in PENNVEST history — to upgrade Pennsylvania’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems across 23 counties, replacing lead lines and improving treatment capacity statewide.
Over $64 million granted for water infrastructure upgrades in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania American Water has received more than $64.3 million in grants and low-interest loans from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to support four major water infrastructure projects across Butler, Columbia, Fayette and Monroe counties.
Texas Proposition 4 could channel billions into state water infrastructure
Texas voters will decide this November whether to approve Proposition 4, a constitutional amendment that would create a long-term funding stream for statewide water infrastructure improvements. The measure would allocate up to $1 billion annually into the Texas Water Fund.
Zachry expands into water infrastructure with acquisition of Crescent Constructors
Zachry Construction Corporation has agreed to acquire Plano-based Crescent Constructors, expanding its footprint in the water and wastewater infrastructure sector and strengthening its presence in one of the industry’s fastest-growing markets.
Birmingham's $183 million water pipe repair plan delayed by mayor's conditions
Birmingham’s $183 million plan to replace aging water pipes is facing delays as Mayor Randall Woodfin sets conditions for city approval — including no rate hikes, more transparency, and greater inclusion of minority contractors.
New Orleans expands use of trenchless technology to modernize underground pipes
New Orleans is expanding the use of trenchless pipe rehabilitation to repair underground water and sewer lines more efficiently, reducing disruption and speeding up infrastructure work across the city.
Tampa breaks ground on major drainage improvement for El Prado neighborhood
In Tampa, construction begins this month on a $6.9 million stormwater project along South Manhattan Avenue to reduce neighborhood flooding and improve drainage, with completion expected in 2026.
Pennsylvania American Water commits $30 million for wastewater infrastructure upgrades
Pennsylvania American Water will invest $30 million to modernize Kane Borough’s Kinzua Road and Pine Street wastewater plants, boosting capacity and regulatory compliance.
Kauaʻi water utility unveils $1.3 billion plan to rebuild aging system
The Kauaʻi Department of Water has proposed a $1.3 billion overhaul of the island’s century-old water system, citing urgent needs to protect drinking water supplies, reduce wildfire risk and support affordable housing development.
TxDOT advances massive drainage tunnel beneath I-35 in Austin
TxDOT is advancing one of Austin’s largest tunnel projects—a 6.5-mile, 22-foot-wide drainage tunnel beneath I-35. The massive system, built with German tunnel boring machines, will keep new sunken lanes from flooding and send stormwater to the Colorado River.
Thornton restarts construction on disputed 70-mile northern Colo. water pipeline
Thornton, Colorado has resumed construction on its 70-mile water pipeline after years of legal disputes. The project, among the state’s largest infrastructure efforts, will connect Poudre River water rights to a new treatment facility and is slated for completion in 2028.
$332 million in funding cleared for regional Pa. water, wastewater projects
Nearly $332 million in regional water and wastewater upgrades have cleared a key review by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s Environment Committee. The five-year capital program, led by Lehigh County Authority (LCA), spans 2025–2030 and includes more than a dozen projects.
Idaho faces $1 billion water infrastructure challenge as federal cuts loom
A University of Idaho study finds the state’s water and wastewater systems need more than $1 billion in upgrades, with over half of treatment plants violating the Clean Water Act in 2023. Small towns like McCammon face steep costs to replace aging infrastructure, while looming federal cuts to EPA revolving funds threaten to worsen the crisis.
City of Arlington deploys trenchless solutions for water main renewal
Arlington, Texas, is replacing nearly a mile of century-old water mains in its downtown using trenchless technology. The project, led by the city’s Water Utilities team, aims to modernize critical infrastructure with less disruption and greater efficiency, with completion expected by 2026.
Jacobs leading design for ocean outfall pipeline replacement in Puerto Rico
Jacobs has been selected by PRASA to design the replacement of the Mayagüez Ocean Outfall pipeline in Puerto Rico. The 1.1-mile resilient wastewater system will withstand hurricanes and seismic events, reduce environmental impacts, and modernize critical water infrastructure.
Watertown, N.Y., faces $61 million water system upgrade as funding gap threatens higher rates
Watertown, New York, is struggling to fund a $61 million water system upgrade. Officials warn water rates may rise if key grants aren’t secured.
Newsom's Delta Tunnel project faces setback as fast-track bills die in legislature
California’s Delta Conveyance Project suffered a major setback last week after two fast-track bills died in committee. Gov. Newsom’s $60–100 billion water tunnel has faced growing opposition over costs, environmental risks and community impacts.
Seattle to replace 21-million-gallon Bitter Lake reservoir with buried system
Seattle Public Utilities is replacing the Bitter Lake reservoir with a partially buried 21-million-gallon system to improve water quality and protect the city’s drinking water supply.
Amazon, Xylem partner on smart water infrastructure to save 1.3 billion liters annually in Mexico
Mexico City and Monterrey have launched smart water projects with Xylem and Amazon, saving 1.3 billion liters annually and improving supply resilience.
Kalamazoo, Mich., launches $60 million water system overhaul
Kalamazoo, Mich., has launched a $60 million water system overhaul, including a new PFAS treatment plant and water main replacements. The project will modernize aging infrastructure, improve water quality, and ensure compliance with new federal standards by 2029.
Heavy rain triggers spike in Oklahoma City water main breaks
Oklahoma City has reported 40 water main breaks in a week after heavy rain stressed underground pipes. Officials have doubled the water line replacement budget to $20 million.
Vancouver nears completion of $208 million water tunnel
Metro Vancouver is making progress on its long-term water security initiatives, with excavation for the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel nearing completion. The 1.43-mi steel main is part of a $208.1 million project awarded to Traylor Aecon General Partnership, with full completion expected by 2027.
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- U.S. water reuse boom to fuel $47 billion in infrastructure spending through 2035
- Major water pipe break in Puerto Rico hits over 165,000 customers
- Potomac River Tunnel project enters construction phase beneath Washington, D.C.
- U.S. Army Corps approves Enbridge's $500 million Line 5 Tunnel project
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines
- Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
- Utah city launches historic $70 million tunnel project using box jacking under active rail line
- Tulsa residents warned after sewer lines damaged by boring work
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized