Funding
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.
Indiana American Water files rate request driven by $875 million wastewater investment
(UI) — Indiana American Water filed a rate adjustment request on March 31 with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission reflecting $875 million in water and wastewater system investments to be made through 2025.
North Carolina lawmakers propose $2 billion investment plan for water, sewer projects
Rep. Dean Arp, a Union County Republican and one of the chief budget writers, said the House plan includes $3.6 billion on infrastructure investments over the next two years, along with $2 billion for local and regional water and sewer system projects.
Congress approves measure to toss Biden’s water protections
Congress on Wednesday approved a resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s protections for the nation’s waterways that Republicans have criticized as a burden on business, advancing a measure that President Joe Biden has promised to veto.
Mississippi lawmakers stop effort to take over Jackson water
Mississippi lawmakers are giving up on an effort to create a state-dominated board to oversee the troubled water system in the state’s capital city.
Governor Polis signs proposal to fund 60 drinking water projects across Colorado
(UI) — The state of Colorado will now be providing funding for about 60 drinking water projects across the state, according to legislation that was signed last month by Governor Jared Polis.
Alabama to spend $400 million in funding on water, sewer infrastructure; $260 million on broadband
Alabama will spend the remaining $1 billion of its pandemic relief funds largely on a mixture of water and sewer infrastructure, broadband expansion and healthcare reimbursements, under a bill introduced Wednesday.
Groups accuse Alabama of discrimination in wastewater funds
Environmental organizations filed a civil rights complaint against Alabama on Monday, accusing the state of discriminating against minority communities in how it distributes funding for wastewater infrastructure, including money for families who need help dealing with raw sewage in their yards.
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Latest industry developments
Biden to require US-made steel, iron for infrastructure
The Biden administration is beginning to issue requirements for how projects funded by the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package source their construction material.
Gulf Coast, Mississippi River cities eager for flood funding
Cities on the Louisiana coast and Mississippi River are hoping President Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure package will provide badly needed funding to fortify locks, levees and other flood protections.
EPA Outlines $7.4 Billion for Water Infrastructure Headed to States
States, Native American tribes and U.S. territories will receive $7.4 billion in 2022 to improve water quality and access, the first installment from the infrastructure bill that President Joe Biden signed into law last month.
States Sue to Undo Biden Pause on US Oil & Gas Lease Sales
Several states sue to undo Biden's pause on oil ad gas lease sales.
Multiple Utility Workers Hurt in Gas Explosion Near Houston
A gas explosion led to several utility workers injured on Friday.
Congressional Letter to FCC on Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
A letter to the FCC encourages careful consideration when choosing bidders for a broadband program benefitting rural communities.
Rural Maine Water Systems to Make Upgrades with Federal Help
The USDA is giving Maine more than $5.7 million to upgrade water systems in rural parts of the state.
West Virginia Drinking Water Projects Receive Federal Funding
West Virginia is receiving over $11 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water projects.
C-Spire to Spend Over $2 Million to Build Fiber Infrastructure in Rural Mississippi
Telecommunications firm C Spire plans to spend almost $2.2 million to install more than 30 miles of underground fiber infrastructure in four rural Mississippi counties.
U.S. Department of Energy Announces $33 Million for Natural Gas Pipeline Retrofitting Projects
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced over $30 million in funding to develop technology to rehabilitate aging natural gas pipelines.
USDA Invests $462 Million in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural Communities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $462 million to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure in rural communities around the country.
New Jersey American Water Announces Water Infrastructure Investment Program
New Jersey American Water is partnering with state authorities to develop a state-wide water and wastewater infrastructure investment program.
California Announces $83.9 Million in Grants for Local and Regional Water Resilience Projects
California has awarded nearly $84 million in funding to help local and regional water infrastructure improvement projects around the state.
USDA Awards $750 Million for Rural Broadband Infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding nearly $750 million in loans and grants to help improve broadband infrastructure in rural areas around the country.
Great Lakes Get Extra Funds for Cleanups, Invasive Species
Additional funds provided by Congress for Great Lakes environmental improvements will be used to hasten cleanups of highly toxic sites and step up work on other longstanding forms of pollution, federal officials said.
Wisconsin Assembly to Vote on Bills Fighting Water Pollution
A bipartisan, $10 million package of more than a dozen bills designed to combat groundwater contamination in Wisconsin is slated for approval in the state assembly.
Feds to Fund Water Infrastructure Projects in Four States
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $2.7 billion for infrastructure projects that help protect surface water and provide safe drinking water to communities across the country.
U.S. Department of Energy Awards $25 Million to Improve Natural Gas Operations
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 16 projects to receive nearly $25 million in federal funding for cost-shared projects to advance natural gas infrastructure technology development.
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized
- Alaska LNG pipeline could require 7,000 workers at peak construction, developers say
- Ohio trench collapse kills one worker, injures two during pipe installation
- Elon Musk's Boring Co. fined for dumping drilling waste into Vegas sewer system
- $1.4 billion Midwest pipeline expansion to move more Canadian oil to U.S. Gulf
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized
- Massive water line failure leaves majority of Waterbury without service
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines