Water

Montana challenges EPA rule to protect water quality certifications, foster infrastructure development

(UI) — Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and ten other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule on Dec. 5 stating that it makes "sweeping and unlawful" changes to federal regulations governing state-issued water quality certifications.

West Virginia to receive $109 million from EPA for water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award West Virginia $109.88 million to support improvements to water systems and access to safe drinking water across the state.

Report: Combined U.S. household water, sewer bill increased by 56% since 2012

Across 50 of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas, average monthly household water bills increased to $50.61, and monthly sewer bills reached $71.16, based on average household water consumption.

Washington, D.C., awarded $128 million for water infrastructure upgrades

Projects include remediating stormwater to protect stream water quality, increasing sewer capacity to prevent sewage overflows during storm events, and replacing lead service lines for homes across the city.

EPA awards Pennsylvania nearly $387 million for water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Pennsylvania $386.9 million to support clean water efforts and better deliver safe drinking water across the state.

Congressmen ask DOJ to investigate water utility hack, warning it could happen anywhere

Three members of Congress have asked the U.S. Justice Department to investigate how foreign hackers breached a water authority near Pittsburgh, prompting the nation’s top cyber defense agency to warn other water and sewage-treatment utilities that they may be vulnerable.

Illinois American Water invests $76.7 million in 2023 for local water infrastructure upgrades

(UI) — In 2023, Illinois American Water will have invested $297 million in water and wastewater system infrastructure replacement and enhancements throughout the state. Locally, in the company’s Central Division, the capital investment in infrastructure has reached $76.7 million in 2023.

New Jersey American Water agrees to purchase Salem, N.J., water and sewer system

(UI) — New Jersey American Water signed an agreement on Nov. 30 to acquire the water and sewer system of Salem, N.J., for $18 million. This municipally owned system serves more than 2,300 customers.

Cybersecurity agency warns that water utilities are vulnerable to hackers after Pennsylvania attack

Hackers are targeting industrial control systems widely used by water and sewage-treatment utilities, potentially threatening water supplies, the top U.S. cyber defense agency said after a Pennsylvania water authority was hacked.

Chemical firms to pay $110 million to Ohio to settle claims over releases of ‘forever chemicals’

The DuPont Co. and two spin-off firms will pay $110 million to the state of Ohio to settle a lawsuit over environmental threats from toxic chemicals used at a former DuPont facility in neighboring West Virginia, the companies said Wednesday.

Westlands Water District builds sustainable water future with ambitious groundwater goal

The district will continue to prioritize groundwater recharge efforts but has also adjusted schedules for select infrastructure projects to ensure efficient water delivery to landowners.

West Virginia to receive over $109 million for water infrastructure upgrades

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award West Virginia $109.88 million to support improvements to water infrastructure and access to safe drinking water across the state.

Miami-Dade water, sewer department invests over $599 million in infrastructure upgrades

WASD’s $7.8 billion multi-year CIP will result in both water and wastewater system-wide enhancements to overcome a vast range of challenges, from addressing aging infrastructure to building capacity and reliability throughout the county's systems.

Arizona to protect residents from PFAS-contaminated drinking water with $30 million investment

The project will increase the resiliency of the water system, which is currently relying on a single pipeline, reducing the need to pump water from a great distance.

Santa Clara Valley Water District to increase water resiliency with $92 million WIFIA loan

The Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Planning and Design Project will assess options to address long-term water storage capacity concerns for customers.

Biden declares emergency over lead in water in US Virgin Islands

President Joe Biden declared an emergency over lead-in-water contamination in the U.S. Virgin Islands earlier this week after tests on St. Croix revealed levels more than 100 times the limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency – among the worst results a U.S. community has seen in decades.

Federal appeals court upholds judge’s dismissal of Dakota Access Pipeline protesters’ lawsuit

A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a federal judge’s 2021 decision dismissing a lawsuit filed by protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline, who alleged law enforcement officers used excessive force during a clash in 2016.

Mississippi’s capital city is considering a unique plan to slash water rates for poor people

The manager of the long-troubled water system in Mississippi’s capital city proposed a slight rate increase for most residents Friday alongside what he said is a first-in-the-nation proposal to reduce water rates for low-income people who get government help with grocery bills.

New York sues PepsiCo Inc. for plastic pollution, alleging the company contaminated drinking water

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a lawsuit against PepsiCo Inc. on Wednesday, accusing the soda-and-snack food giant of polluting the environment and endangering public health after its single-use plastics were found along the Buffalo River.

PUC approves Pennsylvania American Water's $230 million acquisition of Butler Area Sewer Authority

(UI) — Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, received approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to purchase the Butler Area Sewer Authority wastewater system for $230 million.

Wisconsin Senate signs off on bill to spend tens of millions on PFAS pollution

Wisconsin municipalities and landowners could apply for tens of millions of dollars in state grants to combat PFAS pollution under a bill the state Senate approved Tuesday.

Underground water, sewage lines leaking millions of gallons a year in South Dakota neighborhood, report finds

The results show that water lines have been disturbed by the collapse of soils and are leaking 28,000 gallons a day. The sewage lines are also leaking, the tests show, and some of the sewage is remaining in the pipes and is corroding the underside of manhole covers.

Mexico City imposes severe water supply cuts due to drought

Mexican officials imposed severe, monthslong cuts to Mexico City’s water supply at midnight Friday, acting just a month after initial restrictions were ordered as drought dries the capital’s reservoirs.

Connecticut breaks ground on $33 million lead service line replacement program

As part of the scope of work, Arcadis is providing planning, design, and construction management services to New London to help identify and eliminate lead service lines throughout the city.

Texas to allocate $1 billion for state-wide water infrastructure projects

The funds will be distributed by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to upgrade existing water systems, fund new projects and financial assistance programs, and create a public water awareness program.

Salem and Manville voters approve selling water, sewer systems to New Jersey American Water

(UI) — Voters in Salem City and the Borough of Manville have decisively approved ballot referendums to transfer water and sewer operations ownership to New Jersey American Water.

Pennsylvania American Water files rate request driven by $1 billion in investment

(UI) — If approved, the company's proposed rates would raise the average monthly water bill by around $17 for residential customers, reduce the monthly wastewater bill for sanitary sewer service by about $5, and increase the monthly wastewater bill for combined sewer service by approximately $4.

Russ Ford named 2024 MVP of underground infrastructure industry

(UI) — Russ Ford, a noted infrastructure expert, has been selected as the Most Valuable Professional of the underground infrastructure industry for 2024. Ford, a senior associate at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc., will be honored at a special luncheon on March 19 at the annual Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC).

Canada, British Columbia invest over $10 million in water and sewer infrastructure projects

(UI) — The governments of Canada and British Columbia, alongside the municipalities of Burns Lake, Fraser Lake, and the District of Mackenzie, are investing over $10 million into three transformative water and wastewater projects.

California American Water completes $4.1 million Ventura County water system upgrades

California American Water recently invested in improving its pumps, piping and electrical equipment in the White Stallion Community in unincorporated Ventura County and within Wildwood Park in the City of Thousand Oaks.