April 2026 Vol. 81 No. 4
Newsline
Newsline: Latest industry developments
Texas811 launches real-time excavation detection to prevent utility strikes
Texas811 has introduced a new fiber-optic sensing system designed to detect excavation activity in real time, allowing utilities to identify potential threats to underground infrastructure before damage occurs.
The technology, called Guardian, uses distributed fiber-optic sensing to convert existing fiber lines into monitoring systems capable of identifying digging activity. The system integrates with the Texas811 ticket database to determine whether excavation work is authorized.
When excavation is detected, the system checks for an active 811 ticket. If one exists, no action is taken. If not, the system flags the activity and alerts utility operators, providing location data and identifying whether the excavation is mechanical or manual so crews can respond.
“Underground utility strikes endanger thousands of lives, cause billions of dollars in damage and disrupt services each year,” said Kyle VanLandingham, Texas811’s director of business development. “Research shows a quarter of all damages occur because the Texas811 system is not used, and three-quarters of those damages result from professional excavators who know the rules but do not follow them.”
The launch comes as excavation activity increases alongside growth in data centers, housing development and grid expansion, placing more pressure on already crowded underground utility corridors.
“Demand for underground infrastructure is accelerating at an unprecedented pace,” VanLandingham said. “Traditional approaches to damage prevention are no longer enough, making Guardian a gamechanger for the industry.”
Texas811 said the system could also influence damage prevention efforts beyond the state, given the volume of excavation activity in Texas.
Rising infrastructure costs threaten water affordability, AWWA report finds
U.S. drinking water systems will require between $2.1 trillion and $2.4 trillion in infrastructure investment over the next 25 years, as utilities face compounding cost pressures beyond traditional asset replacement, according to a new report from the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
The report highlights a widening gap between current spending and future needs, with utilities investing about $33.6 billion annually compared to an estimated $90.2 billion required – leaving a funding shortfall of roughly $56.6 billion per year.
AWWA said rising costs are being driven by factors including regulatory compliance, treatment of emerging contaminants such as PFAS, climate resilience requirements, cybersecurity investments and lead service line replacement.
If the funding gap is addressed primarily through rate increases, average household water bills could more than double by 2050, raising affordability concerns for millions of customers. The report estimates more than 30 million households could exceed commonly used affordability thresholds without additional financial support.
The report also underscores the importance of federal financing programs such as the State Revolving Fund (SRF) and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA), noting that long-term, low-cost financing will be critical to managing costs and sustaining investment in drinking water systems.
Park City, Utah, undergrounding project moves forward with conduit installation
Conduit installation is now underway in Park City, Utah, as crews advance a multi-phase project to move overhead transmission lines underground through the Bonanza Park area.
The project, led by Rocky Mountain Power, began initial work in August 2025 with early conduit placement and installation of two underground vaults. As of April 2026, construction has shifted to active conduit installation along Kearns Boulevard, where traffic controls and lane reductions are in place to support trenching and utility work.
Crews are installing conduit beneath key corridors including Boot Hill and Woodbine Way, forming the backbone of a new underground transmission route that will connect to an existing substation. Work will continue through May with phased lane closures and repaving, before shifting to additional excavation and conduit installation later this summer.
The broader project will run through 2027 and includes tying the new underground system into existing infrastructure and removing overhead transmission lines and towers. Once complete, the upgrade will relocate electrical infrastructure below ground, reduce wildfire risk and open up space for redevelopment in the Bonanza Park area.
Fatal trench collapse in Mass. leads to $4.6 million OSHA penalty
The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Massachusetts-based water and sewer contractor following a fatal trench collapse in Yarmouth, issuing dozens of violations and proposing $4.6 million in penalties.
An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that workers employed by Revoli Construction Co. Inc. were performing excavation work in sandy soil when a trench collapsed on Nov. 18, 2025. Two workers were trapped; one was engulfed and died, while the other was seriously injured.
According to OSHA, crews were removing soil and installing steel plates outside the trench when backfilled sand gave way and collapsed into the excavation.
The agency issued seven willful violations, 33 repeat violations and 17 serious violations tied to trenching and excavation safety failures.
“These cave-in incidents are among the most dangerous hazards in underground construction, particularly when proper protective systems are not in place,” OSHA officials said in detailing the findings.
Violations cited by OSHA include failure to provide a safe means of egress from the trench, inadequate cave-in protection, unsupported underground utilities, and spoil piles placed too close to the excavation. Investigators also found that a required shoring system was not installed according to design and that a damaged protective system was used. Additional hazards included electrical and fall risks.
OSHA assessed $4,699,362 in proposed penalties against the contractor.
The agency said trenching and excavation hazards remain a key enforcement priority under its National Emphasis Program, which targets conditions likely to cause serious injuries or fatalities.
EPA awards $610 million for 62-mile Illinois water transmission system
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a $610 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to support construction of a regional water transmission system serving six communities in northeastern Illinois.
The project, led by the Grand Prairie Water Commission, will include development of a 62-mile water transmission network and associated infrastructure upgrades to transition nearly 300,000 residents from a declining groundwater aquifer to Lake Michigan as a primary drinking water source.
Member communities include the cities of Joliet and Crest Hill, along with the villages of Channahon, Minooka, Shorewood and Romeoville.
Officials said the project is designed to improve long-term water supply reliability while reducing dependence on stressed groundwater resources. Construction of the new system is expected to support growing demand and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality drinking water across the region.
Shreveport seeks extension as sewer system repairs near $1 billion cost
Shreveport, La., is seeking a multi-decade extension to complete federally mandated wastewater system upgrades as total project costs are now projected to reach $1 billion.
The city has already spent more than $450 million addressing deficiencies identified under a 2014 EPA consent decree aimed at reducing sewer overflows and bringing the system into compliance with the Clean Water Act, according to The Center Square. The original plan called for completion within 12 years, but city officials now say an additional 15 to 20 years will be needed.
Progress has slowed in recent years due to funding constraints, with officials citing limited financial capacity to complete all required upgrades. Completed work includes sewer line cleaning and inspection, lift station repairs, manhole rehabilitation and hydraulic modeling updates for key system components.
The rising cost of the program has also placed pressure on ratepayers, The Center Square reported. Sewer rates increased 177 percent between 2013 and 2022, and officials say further increases could strain affordability, particularly for low-income residents.
The city is pursuing additional funding through federal loans, state grants and local bond programs, while also negotiating potential relief from $17.7 million in federal penalties tied to the consent decree.
Elon Musk's Boring Co. names winners for urban tunnel loop projects
The Boring Company has selected three proposed underground transportation projects in the U.S. as part of its “Tunnel Vision Challenge,” advancing plans for urban tunnel systems pending feasibility and regulatory review.
The selected projects include the NOLA Loop in New Orleans, the Ravens Loop in Baltimore and the University Hills Loop in Dallas. According to Drive Tesla Canada, each concept involves underground tunnel networks designed to transport passengers using vehicle-based Loop systems similar to those deployed in Las Vegas.
According to the company, each project will now enter a due diligence phase that includes geotechnical investigations, infrastructure analysis and coordination with local officials and regulators. The studies will determine whether the projects can move forward to construction, Drive Tesla Canada reported.
The company said it intends to fund the feasibility work and potentially the construction of viable projects, though final decisions will depend on regulatory approvals and site-specific conditions. Additional proposals in Hendersonville and San Antonio are also under consideration for further development.
Algona, Wash., halts fiber construction after second gas line strike
The city of Algona, Wash., has temporarily halted fiber optic installation after a second gas line rupture triggered evacuations and raised safety concerns.
City officials suspended construction for four days following the latest incident, which forced multiple blocks to be evacuated. Local leaders said crews have now struck two gas lines during the project, along with several water lines.
The city is requiring the contractor, Ezee Fiber, to meet with officials and residents before work resumes, as concerns grow over construction practices and communication with neighborhoods.
Ezee Fiber said it is working to address the incidents and has increased oversight of its construction crews to reduce the risk of further utility strikes.
27 pipeline safety violations tied to deadly Pa. factory explosion
Pennsylvania regulators have cited 27 violations of state and federal pipeline safety rules in connection with the 2023 natural gas explosion at a chocolate factory in West Reading, which killed seven people and injured 10.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement filed a formal complaint against UGI Utilities’ gas division, alleging failures in pipeline design, maintenance, records and emergency response tied to the incident.
The explosion occurred March 24, 2023, at the R.M. Palmer Co. facility, where natural gas leaked underground and ignited inside the building. The blast destroyed one structure, damaged another and caused an estimated $42 million in property damage.
According to the complaint, the leak originated from a retired Aldyl-A plastic service tee installed in 1982 that had degraded over time. Investigators found the failure was linked to elevated ground temperatures caused by a nearby leaking steam pipe, which accelerated deterioration of the plastic components.
“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the explosion was degradation of a retired 1982 Aldyl A polyethylene service tee with a Delrin polyacetal insert that allowed natural gas to leak and migrate underground into the R.M. Palmer Company candy factory buildings, where it was ignited by an unknown source.”
Regulators allege the utility failed to properly account for heat exposure risks, did not ensure adequate clearance or insulation from nearby steam lines, and did not incorporate known risks associated with vintage plastic pipeline materials into its integrity management program.
The complaint also cites issues with inaccurate pipeline records, noting facility data incorrectly identified pipe materials, sizes and configurations at the site.
In addition, investigators found shortcomings in emergency response, including delays in isolating gas flow and difficulties locating a key valve that had been paved over and mislabeled, which may have prolonged the incident.
If proven, the violations could result in a $2.58 million civil penalty, the maximum allowed under federal pipeline safety regulations, along with required corrective actions aimed at improving inspection, monitoring and risk management practices.
Regulators are also seeking operational changes, including more frequent leak surveys on older plastic pipelines, improved tracking of high-risk materials and enhanced emergency response procedures.
OSHA probes Cape Coral, Fla., trench incident after worker trapped under pipe
Federal safety regulators have launched an investigation after a construction worker was trapped beneath a pipe at a job site in Cape Coral, Fla., where trench protection measures were reportedly not in place.
Emergency crews responded to the incident and found the worker pinned inside a trench that did not have a trench box, a key safety system designed to prevent cave-ins. Firefighters stabilized the area by building a temporary barrier to keep soil from collapsing further.
The rescue took approximately two hours, with crews using vacuum equipment to carefully remove material around the worker before freeing him.
The incident occurred at a construction site tied to a Lee Health project north of Veterans Parkway, where work has since been halted. The contractor, DeAngelis Diamond Construction, has secured the site and is cooperating with investigators.
Officials indicated the situation could have been more severe under different conditions, noting that dry season soil conditions may have helped prevent further complications during the rescue.
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