Water
Elgin, Ill., joins EPA drinking water initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement
Under the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will support the city of Elgin in identifying lead pipes, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and applying for funding.
Colorado's Wolf Creek Pass tunnel drainage project begins
The project involves upgrading the current drainage system beneath the eastbound lane, installing manholes for easier maintenance, and replacing damaged concrete panels. Delineators will also be added near the new drainage structures.
Michigan awards $267 million to rebuild state water infrastructure
Michigan has awarded over $267 million in grants to cities, villages, and townships across the state to improve water infrastructure and protect public health.
Tampa, Fla., modernizes stormwater infrastructure to combat flooding
The City of Tampa is modernizing its stormwater infrastructure to tackle increasing localized flooding in its coastal, low-lying areas.
Cadiz names Cathryn Rivera as new COO to lead groundbreaking water projects
Cadiz Inc., a California-based water solutions company, has appointed Cathryn Rivera as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective Sept. 16. The move follows the earlier appointment of Susan Kennedy as CEO, as part of the company’s efforts to expand its leadership team.
Maywood, Ill., to accelerate lead drinking water pipe replacement with EPA partnership
Under the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will support the village of Maywood in identifying lead pipes, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and applying for funding.
New Jersey American Water replaces 10,000 lead water service lines since 2021
This achievement is a significant step forward, putting New Jersey American Water on pace to meet requirements of a New Jersey state law passed in 2021, which mandates all water providers to replace both utility-owned and customer-owned lead and galvanized service lines by 2031.
Fresno awarded $3.7 million to replace water pipes, protect drinking water
Congressman Jim Costa has announced $3.7 million in federal funding for Fresno, California, to replace failing water pipes and protect its drinking water system infrastructure from drought.
Fostoria, Ohio, collaborates with EPA to accelerate lead drinking water pipe replacement
Under the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will support the City of Fostoria in identifying lead pipes, developing lead service line replacement plans, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and applying for funding.
Tyco reaches $750 million settlement in PFAS water contamination lawsuit
Tyco has agreed to pay $750 million, pending final court approval, to resolve claims that its products contaminated public water systems. The settlement is aimed at compensating affected water systems, including those with water sources that have tested positive for PFAS.
Tennessee awards $47 million in funding for Springfield water infrastructure upgrades
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Commissioner David Salyers have announced a $47 million funding boost for Springfield’s water infrastructure.
Buried Asset Management Congress opens registration
The 2024 Global Buried Asset Management Congress (GBAMC) will offer an exceptional platform for professionals across the underground infrastructure sector. Scheduled for Nov. 14-16, in the Omni Severin Hotel, Indianapolis, this event promises to deliver many industry highlights.
Houston water infrastructure upgrades carry $5 billion price tag following 32 billion gallons lost in 2023
Houston has replaced only 6% of its water lines in the past decade, which translates to roughly 850 miles of pipe – far short of the industry standard, which is 20%, or over 2,000 miles of pipe.
Kyle, Texas, grapples with water supply crisis amid pipeline delays, population boom
Kyle officials attribute the shortage to climate change, rising demand due to population growth, and delays in a new pipeline that will bring water from the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer. The pipeline, crucial to the city’s long-term water strategy, is expected to come online next year, but development challenges have slowed its progress.
Alabama earmarks $615 million of $2.1 billion ARPA funds for water, sewer infrastructure projects
Nearly $573 million of this has already been obligated to almost 500 projects, with additional agreements pending. Local governments are contributing $663 million in matching funds, bringing the total investment to over $1 billion.
New Mexico launches AI-powered initiative to spot water leaks
New Mexico is teaming up with Google Public Sector and Woolpert Digital Innovations on a new initiative called Hydro Delta, which uses artificial intelligence to detect water leaks, many of which are hidden underground and difficult to identify.
Utilities board approves new water rates for New Jersey American Water on $1.3 billion infrastructure investment
The company’s rate request was filed on January 19, 2024, and was primarily driven by more than $1.3 billion in infrastructure investment in treatment system and distribution upgrades since its last rate filing.
EPA launches $7.5 billion WIFIA fund to improve water infrastructure nationwide
The WIFIA program offers long-term loans to help communities implement critical water infrastructure projects, which protect public health, deliver environmental benefits, create over 60,000 good-paying jobs, protect waterways including drinking water sources, and support local economies, at a lower cost.
EPA collaborates with Dowagic, Mich., to identify, replace lead drinking water pipes
Dowagiac is participating in the EPA’s Get the Lead Out Initiative, a program to move the nation towards achieving 100% lead service line replacement. The Get the Lead Out Initiative will provide technical assistance to approximately 200 communities nationwide.
Calgary faces water restrictions amid Bearspaw pipe repairs
Crews have started critical repairs on Calgary’s Bearspaw South Feeder Main, with work slated to continue through September. The repairs, which began on Aug. 26, involve eight work sites and 21 pipe segments that need attention along the main water supply line.
Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
The Environmental Protection Agency recently established new federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFAS, requiring states to adopt these standards to maintain regulatory control over their water systems.
Port Townsend, Wash., lifts water conservation notice after main line repair
The leak, caused by a cracked fitting on the main water transmission line, was discharging around 400 gallons of water per minute and eroding soil around the pipeline on a steep hillside near Snow Creek.
South Holland, Ill., to accelerate lead pipe replacement in effort to protect drinking water
Under the Get the Lead Out Initiative, EPA will support the village of South Holland in service line material identification (including hydrovacuum excavation at some locations), developing its lead service line replacement plan, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and applying for funding.
Massachusetts to protect children from lead drinking water with $1.3 million federal funding
The funding announced this past week was authorized by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act and is provided to 55 states, the District of Columbia, and participating territories as grants for lead testing and remediation in schools and childcare facilities.
Senator Joe Manchin backs Pickaway waterline extension in West Virginia's Monroe County
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin has announced new funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to extend the Pickaway waterline in Monroe County, improving access to clean drinking water for residents of Union.
Telecommunications crew damages underground water main in Fort Worth, damaging at least 5 homes
The water, under high pressure, shot out forcefully, damaging at least 5 homes in the area. It took over an hour for the water department to stop the flow due to the pipe's size and configuration.
Connecticut to build emergency waterline to protect drinking water infrastructure from climate change
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of the Connecticut Department of Public Health for a $556,000 grant to construct an emergency waterline and pumping station to protect drinking water system infrastructure in Montville, Conn., from drought.
League City, Texas, advances major underground water, sewer upgrades with $308 million investment
League City, Texas, is investing $184 million to enhance its water system and $124 million for wastewater improvements as part of its Capital Improvement Program for FY2024-2028.
Ferguson Waterworks partners with AQS for nationwide leak detection solutions
Through this collaboration, Ferguson Waterworks will supply and maintain AQS’s advanced leak management systems for water supply networks, including both distribution and transmission lines.
New York State allocates $265 million for water and sewer upgrades, lead line inventory
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a $265 million investment to enhance water and sewer infrastructure across New York State, focusing on identifying and replacing lead pipes to ensure safe drinking water.
- Trench collapse kills one construction worker in Houston, Texas
- Intrepid Fiber breaks ground on fiber optic network in Superior, Colo.
- Excavator collides with I-95 overpass in Henrico, Va., causing multi-vehicle crash
- Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts
- Construction worker killed in trench collapse near Prosperity, S.C.
- Final construction phase kicks off for Indianapolis deep rock tunnel
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- Trench collapse kills one construction worker in Houston, Texas
- WES tunnel boring machine retrieved from Oregon river after seven-month project
- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes