Funding
Rockaway Corridor's $16.6 million project upgrades sewer system, alleviates flooding
(UI) — Under the project, which began construction in March 2021, approximately 1,100 feet of existing storm sewers and 22 catch basins were repaired or replaced and an additional 140 feet of new storm sewers plus three new catch basins were added.
American Business Water Coalition launched to support water infrastructure investment
(UI) — The American Business Water Coalition (ABWC), established to address the critical need for more federal investment into our nation’s water infrastructure, officially launched on June 13. The coalition provides businesses with a platform to urge Congress to increase investment in water infrastructure and ensure access to safe, reliable and affordable water for all.
Idaho governor approves $325 million investment in water infrastructure for agriculture
(UI) – Governor Brad Little has signed a plan into law in the Magic Valley, adding record investments in water infrastructure to aid in the economic vitality of agriculture and rural Idaho.
Bluffton, S.C., secures funding for installation of new sewer system in Stoney Creek
(UI) —More than half of the expenditures required for this project were covered by the $5.9 million award from the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program. The award is intended to make establishing a new sewage system in the Stoney Creek Watershed in Bluffton easier.
Biden administration invests $115 million into Jackson water system repairs
The Environmental Protection Agency said that the first round of funding will go towards priority areas to improve drinking water quality while the entire system is upgraded.
Utah plans to invest $14 million in water infrastructure in Cedar City
(UI) — Officials in Cedar City intend to invest over $14 million in water infrastructure as part of their long-term water strategy. However, the proposed budget for this year is still subject to modification.
Minnesota governor signs $2.6 billion infrastructure plan, includes vital water upgrades
Gov. Tim Walz signed a $2.6 billion public infrastructure package Thursday, the largest in state history and the biggest bipartisan success of an often partisan legislative session. The two bills together use $1.5 billion in borrowing and $1.1 billion in cash to fund a long list of projects statewide including drinking water and wastewater treatment plant upgrades.
New Mexico receives $12.6 million investment for desalination research facility
(UI) — While in Southern New Mexico today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Congressman Gabe Vasquez announced a $12.6 million investment from the President’s Investing in America agenda to support the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
California governor pledges to fast-track “hundreds of billions of dollars” for water projects
For the past decade, California officials have pursued water projects in the drought-prone state. One would construct a giant underground tunnel to carry large amounts of water beneath the natural channels of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to drier and more populous Southern California.
Governor Hochul approves $51 million for clean water, drinking infrastructure projects in New York
(UI) — Governor Kathy Hochul has approved $51 million in financing to advance important water and sewer infrastructure projects. The funds will help with system modernization, the removal of new pollutants from drinking water, and the replacement of lead service connections.
Highland Park, Mich., struggles under $20 million water debt, threatening its future
The community near Detroit is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy because it cannot pay its bills to the utility providing drinking water to the city. The debt owed to the Great Lakes Water Authority stretches back to at least the 1990s when the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department ran the water system.
Minnesota invests $240 million to replace lead pipes across the state
The money will fund a surveillance program to help identify structures that could be connected to service lines containing lead, while the state’s Public Facilities Authority will provide grants to cover replacement costs.
Texas House approves bill to set aside billions to upgrade state’s aging water system
A bill that was approved by the Texas House on Wednesday by a vote of 136-8 would establish a new fund to kickstart significant water supply projects and repair deteriorating water infrastructure around the state, The Texas Tribune reported.
Fiber Broadband Association expands state broadband resources with Workforce Development Guidebook
(UI) — FBA’s Workforce Development Guidebook notes that, according to the government’s calculations, 150,000 telecom jobs will be created by BEAD, while research by the Fiber Broadband Association estimates the industry will need over 205,000 new jobs in the next five years to construct, operate, and maintain these new networks in every state.
Brown and Caldwell, AECOM chosen for landmark Pure Water Southern California program
(UI) — A joint venture of AECOM and Brown and Caldwell (AECOM-BC Team) has been chosen to provide program and project management support and engineering design services for the Pure Water Southern California program, one of the largest water reuse programs in the world.
Texas sets deadline for water utilities to apply for $213 million lead pipe location, replacement funding
As part of the state’s goal to eliminate 100% of buried lead water service pipes, a total of $213,455,000 is currently available for projects under the State Fiscal Year 2023 Lead Service Line Replacement Intended Use Plan.
Judge OKs money for billing system upgrade for Jackson water
A judge Tuesday approved a request to set aside federal money for new billing software and other services for the troubled water system in Mississippi’s capital city.
60-Year wait ends as Arkansas Valley clean water pipeline project begins construction
(UI) — Although hundreds of millions of dollars in funding are still required, a project promised by former president John F. Kennedy to provide clean water to communities in the Lower Arkansas Valley is now officially under way.
Jackson needs federal funds to cover infrastructure repairs, appointee says
The manager appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice to oversee reforms to the beleaguered water system in Mississippi’s capital city says he won’t have enough money to cover expenses until more federal funds arrive.
Tennessee announces $232 million in additional funding for water infrastructure
(UI) — The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced 102 grants totaling $232,709,981 of which TDEC is administering in the form of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure grants.
Pearland city officials approve plan to rehabilitate 20,000 feet of sewer pipes
(UI) — A sanitary sewer restoration contract for $2.88 million from Texas Pride Utilities was unanimously approved last month by the Pearland City Council for the Barry Rose and Old Town Site neighborhoods.
Researchers develop safety monitoring system for construction sites
(UI) — University of Houston computer scientists have developed a new system to keep construction workers safe at job sites. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 4,764 workers died on the job in 2020. Employees in construction and extraction occupations accounted for 20% of those deaths.
Cal Water receives $4.3 million grant to connect communities to Salinas system
Grant funding will go toward engineering, design, environmental mitigation, construction, and other related costs to install about 7,300 feet of water main and extend water service to the communities.
83 projects awarded $585 million to improve aging water infrastructure, advance drought resilience
(UI) — The Biden-Harris administration has awarded nearly $585 million in funding to 83 projects across 11 states to increase drought resilience and improve water delivery systems.
US judge temporarily blocks Biden’s clean water rule in 24 states
A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a federal rule in 24 states that is intended to protect thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways throughout the nation.
Governor Hochul to invest over $70 million in critical water infrastructure projects across New York
(UI) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced over $70 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State on April 5. The Suffolk County Water Authority will receive $16.2 million in funding for 11 drinking water projects.
Iowa’s water infrastructure rated “mediocre” by engineering group
(UI) — The Iowa section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released the 2023 Report Card for Iowa’s Infrastructure on Tuesday, with the state’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure receiving a grade of “C” and “C-.” Its energy and stormwater infrastructure received a grade of “C+” and “D+.” According to the report, a C is considered “mediocre,” while a D is “poor.”
EPA releases 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment
(UI) — The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that the EPA conduct a survey and assessment every four years to examine the needs for infrastructure improvements and maintenance at public water systems. The 7th DWINSA estimates that $625 billion will be needed for infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years — a 32% increase from the $472.6 billion projected in 2022.
US cities win nearly $200 million in grants for pipeline upgrades
Federal officials announced the first $196 million of grants Wednesday in a $1 billion program to repair and replace aging and sometimes leaking natural gas pipelines across the country.
Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska granted $248 million to upgrade drinking water infrastructure
(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska will receive a total of roughly $248 million for essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades. Missouri is slated to get $106.4 million, Iowa roughly $79.8 million and Nebraska is expected to receive $46 million.
- 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
- Two workers rescued after hours trapped in Mich. trench collapse
- Trump calls for Keystone XL pipeline revival, but developer has moved on
- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes
- Ameren Illinois to invest $140 million in natural gas pipeline replacement program
- Charlottesville, Va., to begin work on 24-inch water line for Rivanna River crossing
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds