Water

Grand Canyon National Park implements mandatory water conservation following waterline break

The water restrictions are due to a failure in the Trans Canyon Waterline after it was shut off for repairs. Crews were attempting to repressurize the line when there was a break, causing an extension of the current water outage.

EPA completes Lahaina drinking water, wastewater project following Maui 2023 wildfires

Starting on January 4, 2024, over the course of seven months, EPA tested drinking water quality in 1308 lateral service lines that connect water mains to properties with burned structures. If contamination was detected, or if a lateral was too damaged to be sampled, the line was isolated from the main distribution line and marked for future replacement.

Lakehaven Water and Sewer District settles penalty for sewage spills

(UI) — The Lakehaven Water and Sewer District has paid $40,000 to resolve violations of its water quality permit as part of a settlement agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology.

Virginia town set to begin $104 million CSO tunnel project

The Blackwater CSO Tunnel will be a nearly mile-long, 12-foot-diameter underground tunnel located 70 to 120 feet beneath Blackwater Creek. It is designed to collect and store up to 4.7 million gallons of combined sewage and stormwater during heavy rains, preventing wastewater from overflowing into local waterways.

La Grange, Ill., secures $2 million for stormwater detention project

The proposed $8.9 million project includes the construction of 10-acre feet of underground stormwater detention. La Grange Village is actively pursuing additional funding sources to complete the financing for this essential infrastructure project.

Miller Lane water main installation project underway in Cheyenne, Wyo.

This project is part of the BOPU’s initiative to enhance water service reliability by renewing aging infrastructure. The work will be carried out by Aztec Construction Company.

EPA invests over $20 million in water workforce development across the nation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing over $20 million to 13 workforce development organizations across the nation under its Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant Program, which supports expanding career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector.

Survey reveals concerns over PFAS contamination in U.S. drinking water

A recent survey conducted by water treatment provider Culligan sheds light on widespread concerns among Americans regarding the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in their drinking water.

Arizona authorizes $5 billion for infrastructure with “historic” Colorado River water rights legislation

The settlement authorizes $5 billion to acquire, build, and maintain essential water development and delivery projects, including a $1.75 billion distribution pipeline. In total, the Tribes would be guaranteed access to over 56,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water, and specific ground water rights and protections.

Aging water infrastructure causes major water losses in Texas cities

Texas’ largest cities lost around 88 billion gallons of water last year due to old water infrastructure and extreme heat, resulting in significant financial losses and increased pressure on the state's water supply.

Bay Village, Ohio, begins sewer testing to improve system

Duke’s Root Control Inc. has been contracted to carry out the testing in six areas selected based on historical data, recent surveys, and the Ohio EPA's work with the Rocky River Wastewater Treatment Plant.

South Dakota allocates $65 million for statewide water and waste projects

(UI) — The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced nearly $65 million in grants and loans for water and waste infrastructure projects across the state.

Georgia's water, wastewater infrastructure receives "C minus" grade from American Society of Civil Engineers

While people in Georgia pay less than the national average for drinking water, lower consumer bills make it difficult for water utilities to recover the full cost of service and build for the future with ongoing maintenance and capital needs, as well as respond to new rules and regulations.

Washington state to invest $309 million in clean water projects

(UI) — The funding will support 136 projects, ranging from stream restoration on the Touchet River near Prescott to engineered wetlands for stormwater treatment in Ferndale.

California achieves record groundwater recharge in 2023

Despite improvements, California faces a 40 million acre-feet groundwater storage deficit due to decades of over-pumping. Addressing this requires expanding recharge projects, upgrading infrastructure, and modernizing distribution systems.

Port Arthur to evaluate water service lines and meters

The evaluation work will include digging pit holes to expose sections of water service lines near the meters, facilitating thorough inspections and assessments.

Arkansas allocates $60 million for statewide water infrastructure projects

This initiative includes $55 million for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects, and $5 million for the Arkansas Rural Water Association to support water and wastewater systems.

Missouri American Water files rate request driven by $1.5 billion in water, wastewater infrastructure investments

These projects are important to continue providing quality water, increasing fire protection and improving service reliability for customers and include replacement of over 250 miles of aging water and wastewater pipe to help reduce main breaks and sewer overflows. Improvement projects also include treatment plant upgrades.

Construction begins on new water pipeline project in Kyle, Texas

At over 20 miles in length, Segment C marks the final segment of the Alliance Water transmission system to begin construction and is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2025.

South Dakota allocates $105 million in ARPA grants for water infrastructure projects

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources has announced that the Board of Water and Natural Resources approved over $105 million in additional American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants.

Flume leads largest residential water use study in North America

Flume Water has been selected by the Water Research Foundation to conduct the largest-ever Residential End Uses of Water Study in North America, involving over 50 utility partners and data from over 100,000 households. This groundbreaking research aims to enhance water management and sustainability across the continent.

Stantec to lead phase 2 of San Diego’s Pure Water program

Stantec has been selected to manage Phase 2 of the Pure Water San Diego program, a multibillion-dollar initiative to create a sustainable local water supply while reducing ocean discharges.

Ohio town progresses with Green Valley storm sewer construction

(UI) — Progress continues on the Green Valley Construction Project as the contractor moves forward with installing storm sewers and prepares for the next phase beginning July 8.

New Jersey American Water to invest $50 million over 10 years to improve Salem’s water, wastewater infrastructure

These investments include a robust capital improvement plan, including critical system upgrades, implementation of PFNA treatment and repairing the City’s aging water and wastewater infrastructure.

Tyco Fire Products to pay $750 million in proposed PFAS settlement impacting public water systems

Tyco Fire Products LP has agreed to a $750 million settlement in a class action lawsuit overseen by Angeion Group, addressing claims related to Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) impacting public water systems across the United States.

MARS Company achieves NSF/ANSI 61 certification for water system test port spools

(UI) — This certification, widely recognized as a benchmark for safe drinking water components, confirms that MARS spools meet rigorous standards for absence of contaminants and adherence to health and safety criteria in water systems.

U.S. Supreme Court rejects proposed Rio Grande water rights settlement

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a proposed settlement among Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado regarding the division of Rio Grande River water. In a 5-4 decision, the court found the settlement insufficient because it overlooked federal government interests.

Rural, tribal communities across U.S. to fund rural water infrastructure projects with $43 million federal investment

Investments through the Bureau of Reclamation will support six projects already under construction or in the planning phase in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota, and follows $733 million previously announced for rural water projects from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Hazel Crest, Ill., to improve drinking water by removing 2,700 lead service lines

The Village of Hazel Crest is one of 123 inaugural partners in the White House’s Get the Lead Out initiative, announced in January 2023. The Village approved a resolution to remove all 2,700 lead service lines within Hazel Crest, while prioritizing its most vulnerable residents in its lead pipe replacement plan.

WRD receives $25 million grant to expand brackish groundwater cleanup in Torrance, Calif.

By purifying approximately 10 million gallons of brackish water per day, the project will not only restore the groundwater basin but also create additional storage capacity for local freshwater and recycled water.