Water

Biden administration announces $33 million for clean water infrastructure for Nebraska, Kansas

The funding will support communities in upgrading essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies.

New York to bring new water infrastructure to rural communities throughout the state

The program sees professionals from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. performing on-site assistance or virtual consultations. This assistance will help small communities in the state with planning, finishing projections, and funding applications.

U.S. appeals court re-establishes Trump-era water rule, energy industry celebrates

The Trump-era rule reinterprets part of the Clean Water Act that allows states and Native American tribes authority to deny approvals for interstate pipelines and other projects that pollute waterways in their areas. The new rule keeps states from blocking such projects unless they can prove the projects will directly pollute their waterways.

Toxic wastewater from Ohio train crash to be transported to Texas

The wastewater is being sent to Texas Molecular, which injects hazardous waste into the ground for disposal.

Olea Edge Analytics launches AI technology to improve water utility services in California

Olea’s Meter Health Analytics (MHA) solution uses AI technology to provide previously unattainable insights into the performance of commercial and industrial water meters, which can have an outsized impact on both water loss and utility revenue.

Atlas Copco launches fully electric self-priming dewatering pump range solution

(UI) — The E-Pump range, which comprises the PAC High Head and High Flow models, offers an electric alternative to diesel-powered dewatering pumps. This allows customers to reduce their CO2 footprint and operate in emission-restrictive areas with no fuel consumption. This flexible solution is ideally suited for many applications like sewage bypass, dewatering in mining, and urban construction projects with access to a power source.

Vortex Companies adds small diameter pipe UV curing technology to UV CIPP solution suite

(UI) — MICROcure is specifically engineered to reline sewer mains, laterals, and interior plumbing systems ranging from 3-inch to 10-inch in diameter and works with both inversion and CIPP methods. Designed for portability, MICROcure is built on a two-wheel carriage and weighs only 176 pounds.

Ayyeka introduces new sewer overflow data management technology

(UI) — Ayyeka’s latest product, Storm Scope, addresses the endless issues connected to combined sewer overflow data management. The Storm Scope software platform collects and organizes data from remote locations, transforming distant landscapes into manageable assets.

Water utilities to be affected by EPA’s proposed PFAS regulations

In 2022, the EPA issued a health advisory saying that all levels of PFAS substances in drinking water are dangerous. According to water attorney John Kindschuh, safe levels are “so low that most if not all public water systems can’t even detect it.”

Ridgewood, IDE partner with City of Fort Lauderdale for new water treatment plant

Ridgewood Infrastructure and IDE Technologies announced the closing of a public private partnership with the City of Fort Lauderdale to design, build, and operate a new 50 million gallon per day water treatment plant – the Prospect Lake Clean Water Center.

Scottsdale weighs sharing water again with nearby community

Scottsdale will consider a joint plan with Maricopa County that would supply water again to a community that had its access cut off. The Scottsdale City Council is scheduled to meet Feb. 21 about a potential new agreement to re-open a supply of water for nearby unincorporated Rio Verde Foothills.

Washington State boil water advisory reveals problems with existing infrastructure

Snohomish County in Washington experienced a small water main break in late January 2023. While the city was able to repair the rupture, a second break followed the next day, prompting a boil water advisory that is still in effect. The boil water advisory has revealed multiple problems with the city’s infrastructure.

California Water Service to increase rates by 4% to improve infrastructure

California Water Service (Cal Water), a subsidiary of California Water Service Group, has received a ruling in its General Rate Case (GRC) that approves modified interim rates effective beginning April 15, 2023.

Vermont’s wastewater infrastructure deemed “poor” by engineering group

(UI) — The Vermont section of the American Society of Civil Engineers released the 2023 Report Card for Vermont’s Infrastructure on Feb. 16, in which the state’s wastewater infrastructure received a grade of “D+.” Likewise, Vermont's drinking water and stormwater infrastructure received “C” scores. According to the report, a C is considered “mediocre,” while a D is “poor.”

West Virginia drinking water still clear of derailment toxin

West Virginia officials have reiterated that the state's drinking water remains safe following an Ohio train derailment that led to a toxic plume of chemicals being released. Chemicals that leaked from the derailment are being monitored as they move down the Ohio River, but they are not affecting the supply of drinking water, officials said during a briefing Thursday.

Texas partners with water utility solutions provider to transform water management

The City of Sugar Land will place Olea’s Meter Health Analytics (MHA) solution on 25 large commercial meters in its systems, looking for signs of water loss, inaccurate readings and malfunctioning components.

Train derailment prompts water utility to take precautions

A West Virginia water utility is enhancing its water treatment process as a precaution following the derailment of a train hauling chemicals that later sent up a toxic plume in Ohio.

Jackson, Mississippi appoints new Public Works Director to improve troubled water system

City Engineer Robert Lee was named interim director of the Jackson Public Works Department Friday as Jackson begins a nationwide search to find a permanent candidate to fill the position.

City of Flint lifts boil water advisory after transmission line break

The advisory was lifted at 10:45 a.m. following two consecutive 24-hour testing rounds for bacteria, according to a news release from officials in the city of 80,000, whose water was famously tainted with lead nearly a decade ago.

Florida governor awards $275 million for 75 statewide resilience projects

(UI) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced the award of more than $275 million for 75 resilience projects using funding through the Resilient Florida program, the governor announced on Feb. 6. The money will be used to help prepare coastal and inland communities for the adverse impacts of flooding and storm surge.

KÖBERL Group acquires pipeline cleaning and wastewater technology specialists

The goal of the KÖBERL Group is the establishment of a leading full-spectrum provider in building technology and building management in Germany.

Water coalition urges California governor to improve water infrastructure in San Joaquin Valley

(UI) — The Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley sent Governor Newsom a letter regarding the recent storms California received and proposed projects to improve the state’s water systems to support fluctuations in rainfall after years of drought.

Jacksonville, Florida partners with artificial intelligence company to improve stormwater fee assessment

Jacksonville, Florida, will use various state-of-the-art technologies to create a high-resolution map of over 350,000 parcels in Duvale County. These technologies include artificial intelligence, ariel imagery, and geographic information systems. The goal of the project is to streamline private property assessments to determine landowner responsibilities according to the IAC program.

Philadelphia awarded $340 million for water infrastructure, lead pipe replacement projects

(UI) — Portions of Philadelphia’s drinking water systems are approaching the end of their useful life and need significant upgrades to continue to deliver clean and safe water to the residents of Philadelphia. The initial loan of $19.8 million will modernize critical drinking water infrastructure by replacing approximately 160 lead service lines and 15 miles of watermains throughout the city.

Oregon halts construction on water pipeline project after 12 years and $38 million

(UI) — The Portland Water Bureau abruptly stopped work on the intended building of a new water pipeline beneath the Willamette River today after more than 12 years of planning and preparation and the investment of $38 million.

Interior: $580 million headed to 15 tribes to fulfill water rights

Fifteen Native American tribes will get a total of $580 million in federal money to pay for pipelines, pumping stations, and canals to help deliver water to the tribe's reservations.

Texas lawmakers to push water infrastructure upgrades to forefront of legislative agenda

(UI) — For the upcoming fiscal year, Texas is anticipated to have a record surplus. Now, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is hoping to direct some of that money toward much-needed renovations to the state's water infrastructure.

Pumping Mississippi River water west: solution or dream?

While the much-needed water has improved conditions in the parched West, experts warn against claiming victory. About 60% of the region remains in some form of drought, continuing a decades-long spiral into water scarcity.

West Virginia lab owner admits to falsifying test results for city’s public water

The co-owner of a West Virginia water laboratory on Monday pleaded guilty in federal court to submitting false results for a city’s public drinking water samples that were never tested, prosecutors said.

H2O Innovation awarded $5.5 million of new water, wastewater treatment projects

(UI) — H2O Innovation’s business line Water Technologies & Services has recently been awarded five new water and wastewater treatment projects, including four industrial projects. These new contracts have a total value of $5.5 million.