Water

Water restored in downtown Atlanta after corroded pipes burst, causing two-day outage

Problems arose Friday morning at the intersection of three major water mains west of downtown. Some pipes were old and corroded, complicating repairs in the confined area. Only one worker could access the junction at a time, but repairs were completed by Saturday evening.

Ohio allocates $122.7 million for critical water infrastructure upgrades

The latest grants will support 43 new projects with $84.5 million and provide $38.2 million in gap funding for 33 ongoing projects facing cost overruns.

Proposed federal water rule may encourage system consolidation to meet drinking water standards

There are over 50,000 community water systems in the U.S., many of which are small, underfunded, and facing declining customer bases. Consolidation could help spread costs and resources across larger populations, which is crucial for complying with new regulations on lead and PFAS chemicals.

Digital twin technology to help utilities navigate water management challenges, Info-Tech reports

With escalating global water concerns and the increasing urgency for effective water management, water utilities must accelerate their digital transformation efforts, says global research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group, in a recently published industry resource.

EPA partners with Illinois representatives to develop water infrastructure funding list for Mero East area

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed a comprehensive list of drinking-water, wastewater and flood-prevention infrastructure funding and projects for the Cahokia Heights/Metro East, Illinois, area.

Southern California to transform wastewater into drinking water with $99 million federal boost

The Metropolitan Water District's initiative to create a new water supply for Southern California by turning cleaned wastewater into high-quality drinking water received a significant funding boost on May 28.

Illinois Senate debates drilling carbon pipeline above aquifer supplying drinking water

Senate Bill 1289, if enacted by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, may allow a carbon pipeline to be drilled above the Mahomet Aquifer, raising concerns about potential drinking water contamination from pipeline ruptures.

Fusion in paradise

Just south of Miami, in the tropical paradise of the Florida Keys, a McElroy TracStar 412 spent most of winter 2023 onsite, fusing high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for a massive residential water line to service one of the area’s gated resorts.

Aqua Pennsylvania files rate request to fund $953 million in water infrastructure updates through 2025

The request, Aqua’s first in almost three years, covers capital investments and system repairs the replacement of approximately 200 miles of aging water main, as well as associated valves and customer service lines, throughout the approximately 5,900-mile distribution system.

Massachusetts makes great strides to replace century-old lead pipes in drinking water infrastructure

The City of Malden - with extensive lead service lines within its distribution system - has been working with Mass DEP for about 20 years to document and eliminate lead pipes. They have completed 265 test pit explorations to identify lead service lines, and the city is looking to classify 1600 unknown services within their system.

Rural communities nationwide to improve water systems with $30.7 million in federal funding

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its selection of training and technical assistance providers who will receive $30.7 million to support water systems and private well owners in small and rural communities.

EPA allocates $25 million to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in underserved communities across the nation

This grant funding will specifically benefit underserved, small and disadvantaged communities by upgrading infrastructure to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, reducing exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), removing sources of lead, and addressing additional local drinking water challenges.

Massachusetts senators secure wins in water infrastructure bill

The bipartisan legislation, which authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects vital for the nation's water infrastructure, includes several crucial provisions addressing local needs in Massachusetts.

CIPP rehabilitation of pressurized pipelines

It is well known that CIPP has been around for over 50 years, primarily being used to rehabilitate gravity sewer pipelines. In the 1980s CIPP was introduced for low pressure sewer applications, and late in the 1990s began to emerge for water main and higher-pressure force main rehabilitations.

Los Angeles sewer fees set to surge over next four years due to infrastructure overhaul

Los Angeles sewer fees set for significant surge over four years due to urgent need for infrastructure overhaul. Proposed increases, averaging $75 to $155 by 2028, draw concerns over affordability and housing impact.

CRW presents $450 million proposal to address sewage runoff crisis in Harrisburg, Pa.

The initiative, presented to the Harrisburg City Council, outlines a strategic approach spanning two decades to mitigate the impact of combined sewer and stormwater systems on water bodies.

Rainfall contributes to sewer overflows in Temple and Killeen, Texas

Heavy rainfall in Temple and Killeen, Texas, triggered sewer overflows, resulting in nearly 2 million gallons of overflow. Prompt cleanup efforts ensued, highlighting ongoing infrastructure challenges in the region.

Mott, North Dakota, secures $2.85 million for water and sewer system updates

The city will use the funds to replace vitrified clay-tile pipe and asbestos cement pipe sewer mains that were installed between the 1920s and 1960s and are beyond their operational life.

Michigan's water infrastructure gets billion-dollar boost

Michigan is undergoing a substantial transformation in its water infrastructure, with significant investments aimed at renewing outdated systems and ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water for its residents.

Essential Utilities to invest $1.4 billion annually through 2028 to upgrade critical infrastructure nationwide

Essential plans to invest an expected $1.3 billion in 2024, and an annual average of approximately $1.4 billion through 2028. These strategic investments directly address the need for modernization and sustainability across Essential’s nine-state service area, ensuring compliance, reducing outages and safeguarding the environment.

Puerto Rico receives $28.6 million in federal funding to find, replace lead water service lines

EPA projects a national total of 9 million lead services lines across the country, based on data collected from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment.

Illinois invests $205 million to upgrade state-wide water infrastructure

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John J. Kim announced the investment of nearly $205 million through water infrastructure loans to local governments and water districts for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2024 (January – March 2024).

$630 billion needed over 20 years to improve water infrastructure across the nation, EPA report finds

The 2022 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey represents the most recent comprehensive and robust report on wastewater, stormwater, and other clean water infrastructure needs in the U.S., and shows that at least $630 billion will be needed over the next 20 years to protect our nation’s waterbodies.

EPA allocates $39 million for Bloomington and Normal, Ill., wastewater infrastructure upgrade

This funding injection is aimed at fortifying the district’s Wastewater System Modernization and Rehabilitation Program, crucial for bolstering public health safeguards and environmental sustainability while spurring economic advancement.

Colorado’s Larimer County commissioners greenlight Thornton water pipeline project

On May 8, Larimer County commissioners unanimously granted approval for Thornton City's 10-mile pipeline project, marking a breakthrough after years of contentious debate and legal battles.

Granite secures $25 million contract for infrastructure project near Ontario International Airport

Granite will be responsible for upsizing and retrofitting domestic water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage systems at the east end of the runway of the Ontario International Airport.

New York to identify, replace lead water service lines statewide with $129 million EPA investment

According to U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis, roughly 21% of New York City residents may be drinking from lead-contaminated pipes, putting themselves at risk for a number of adverse health effects.

Senators secure $28.6 million for Arizona lead pipe replacement

Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema have secure over $28.6 million for lead pipe replacement in the state to bolster clean drinking water efforts.

$4 million water main replacement project underway in Austin, Texas

Crews will be working to replace 5,000 ft of aging water mains. This is the first phase of the project which will ultimately replace more than 25,000 ft of mains in the community.

EPA allocates $3 billion to identify, replace lead water service lines across the nation

EPA projects a national total of 9 million lead services lines across the country. The funding announced will be provided specifically for lead service line identification and replacement and will help every state and territory fund projects to remove lead pipes and reduce exposure to lead from drinking water.