Water

EPA blames state for Jackson water crisis, cites inadequate oversight

The EPA has released a critical report highlighting the Mississippi State Department of Health’s failures in overseeing Jackson’s water system, which contributed to the 2022 water crisis impacting 150,000 residents.

Central Florida’s Toho Water Authority secures $188.3 million for water infrastructure expansion

The EPA has awarded a $188.3 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan to the Toho Water Authority to enhance water infrastructure in Polk and Osceola counties.

Coastal Alabama to receive $30 million for sewer and stormwater improvements

Governor Kay Ivey has announced nearly $30 million in funding for sewer, stormwater, and water quality improvement projects in Coastal Alabama.

Lynchburg, Va., downtown renewal progresses with new utility upgrades

The City of Lynchburg's Phase IV Downtown Renewal Construction Project will temporarily close a section of 12th Street between Main Street and Church Street to accommodate water main construction.

ITpipes secures $20 million to transform water infrastructure management with AI, cloud solutions

ITpipes leverages AI and machine learning for automated condition assessment to provide quality inspection records for decision-making. ITpipes offers cloud-based tools housed in a single inspection repository. By leveraging Environmental Systems Research Institute mapping for visualization, these tools help cities transition from reactive to proactive pipeline planning.

Ogden City, Utah to strengthen water infrastructure, drought resilience with $42 million WIFIA loan

With this WIFIA loan, the city plans to replace two aging, leaking water lines—the Wellfield water line that conveys groundwater to the Ogden City Treatment Plant and the Ogden Canyon water line that transports treated drinking water to communities.

$90 million drinking water investment replaces 9,500 lead service lines since 2018 in Detroit, Mich.

Detroit’s lead service line replacement program uses a neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach, prioritizing vulnerable areas such as communities with a high density of low-income households, children and seniors, and housing built prior to 1945.

New York City begins $52 million stormwater infrastructure upgrade to reduce flooding across Queens

This initiative focuses on replacing over 80-year-old water mains and enhancing the storm sewer system. Key components include the installation of nearly 1.5 miles of new storm sewers, 92 catch basins, 13 underground storm chambers, and the upgrading of 2 miles of water mains.

EPA, Ypsilanti, Mich., collaborate to improve drinking water with lead pipe replacement initiative

Under the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will support the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority in identifying lead pipes, developing lead service line replacement plans, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and applying for funding.

Birmingham, Ala., to upgrade aging water infrastructure with $171 million WIFIA loan

This loan will allow them to complete a major upgrade of its distribution system to prevent water loss and safely store treated drinking water for distribution to its customers. By preventing over 250 water main breaks annually, residence and businesses will experience improved service while lowering the Board’s maintenance costs.

League City, Texas, expands flood protection with new drainage improvements

League City, Texas, is making headway in its flood protection and drainage improvement projects under the 2019 GO Bond Proposition A. The $73 million bond aims to fund 21 drainage projects, primarily targeting areas in and around several League City subdivisions.

FEMA allocates $22.6 million to Puerto Rico sewer authority to restore water infrastructure following Hurricane Maria

One of PRASA’s projects to replace water pipes in the metropolitan region will benefit about 4,900 families. The infrastructure suffered significant damage due to erosion, flooding and other effects of the hurricane. Some of this damage includes continuous leaks due to deterioration and high-water pressure because of hydraulic issues.

Niles, Ohio, EPA form drinking water partnership to identify, replace lead pipes

The city of Niles is participating in EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, which will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities nationwide.

Crown launches divisions for underground lead pipe inspection, remediation

Crown Electrokinetics Corp. has announced the formation of two new divisions, Element 82 and PE Pipelines, aimed at tackling the issue of lead pipes in drinking water systems.

Kewanee, Ill., partners with EPA to accelerate lead water line identification, replacement

Under the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will support the city of Kewanee with some critical first steps to lead pipe replacement including identifying lead pipes and educating the public about lead pipes.

Stantec manages $104 million Blackwater sewer overflow tunnel in Lynchburg, Va.

The $104 million Blackwater CSO tunnel will have a diameter of 12 feet and will be located 70 to 120 feet below ground, providing about 4.7 million gallons of storage capacity.

Rochester, N.Y., begins $5 million lead service line replacement project

Construction has begun on a critical drinking water project in Rochester to replace 772 residential lead and galvanized water service lines.

California American Water acquires Yerba Buena Water Company’s water distribution system

California American Water has entered into an agreement to acquire Yerba Buena Water Company’s water distribution system, which serves approximately 249 customer connections in unincorporated Ventura County.

Kansas Commerce unveils first regional water project in a decade for Coffeyville and Caney

The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded funding for the first regional water project in over a decade. This project aims to improve water access for residents in Coffeyville and Caney through the construction of a 14-mile water pipeline.

Texas Water Development Board approves over $3 billion for statewide water, wastewater projects

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved financial assistance totaling $3,031,935,000 for water and wastewater projects through the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT)* program and Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

EPA, Ohio form drinking water partnership to identify, replace lead pipes across Galion

Under the Get the Lead Out initiative, EPA will support the city of Galion with some critical first steps to lead pipe replacement including identifying lead pipes and educating the public about lead pipes.

Washington state approves $21 million for emergency sewer and stormwater repairs

The Washington State Public Works Board recently approved $21 million for critical infrastructure projects, including emergency sewer and stormwater repairs, in 10 communities.

Baltimore awards $7.6 million contract for lead water line inspections

Baltimore has awarded a $7.6 million contract to Electro Scan Inc. for inspecting water service lines for lead. Electro Scan will use its proprietary technology to identify and inspect water service line materials, including lead pipes.

Bruceville-Eddy city officials approve first-ever sanitary sewer system

The new sewer system will replace outdated on-site wastewater treatment systems and is expected to enhance both infrastructure and environmental sustainability in the community. The project's budget is roughly $20 million.

Milwaukee to build $13 million facility for advanced wastewater tech testing

The $13 million lab will test new wastewater treatment technologies and is expected to significantly impact public health and drinking water quality worldwide.

Editor’s log: The road to rehab intensifies

The 1970s marked a revolution in underground infrastructure with the birth of cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) technology, allowing pipe repairs without excavation. This innovation, alongside other trenchless methods, has transformed the industry and continues to drive efficient solutions for aging infrastructure.

EPA, Chicago form drinking water partnership to identify, replace lead pipes

EPA will support the city of North Chicago with some critical first steps to lead pipe replacement including identifying lead pipes and educating the public about lead pipes.

Pennsylvania American Water receives approved water, wastewater rates to fund $1 billion infrastructure investments

The order reflects the $1 billion in infrastructure investments to be made through mid-2025, as requested by the company, including upgrades to water mains, treatment plants, tanks, valves, booster stations and other infrastructure necessary to maintain and improve water quality, service reliability and fire protection.

Nebraska, EPA to replace lead water service lines at 200 homes in Lincoln

Lincoln chose these initial 200 homes using EPA-recommended criteria, including property records, blood lead levels in children, social vulnerability data, and the risk of lead exposure due to the amount of lead in service lines.

Brooklyn to receive 7 miles of porous pavement in $32.6 million stormwater project

The $32.6 million project aims to prevent 35 million gallons of stormwater from entering the combined sewer system annually, with construction expected to be completed by fall 2025.