Inspection

PFAS contamination detected in groundwater system on Hawaiʻi’s most populated island

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) has detected PFAS chemicals in water samples from the Hōʻaeʻae Wells Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Treatment Facility, which serves the Waipahu ʻEwa Waiʻanae water system on Oʻahu.

NASSCO Tech Tip: Force main and siphon inspection and maintenance

EPA CMOM, as well as local and state regulatory agencies, urge collection system inspections, and two of the more difficult assets to inspect and maintain are wastewater force mains and siphons. Luckily, today there are currently more options than ever to better manage these assets.

Aries Industries celebrates 40 years of advancing underground infrastructure inspections

Aries Industries, a company specializing in state-of-the-art equipment for inspection and maintenance of underground infrastructure, is marking its 40th anniversary with a renewed commitment to the strong partnership culture that has fueled the company’s longevity.

Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs

The innovation, known as a "peristaltic conduit," mimics the segmented movement of earthworms to propel itself through the soil with minimal disruption to existing infrastructure.

Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts

Sewer system inspections and maintenance are underway in Shrewsbury as part of the town’s effort to reduce groundwater infiltration and improve wastewater infrastructure.

Turning awareness into action: 811 call centers

Despite widespread awareness of 811 requirements, damage to underground utilities remains high. This article urges contractors to consistently use state OneCall centers and provides a full directory for safe digging compliance.

Alaska’s infrastructure grade rises to ‘C’, but water and energy still lag

The ASCE has released its 2025 Report Card for Alaska’s Infrastructure, raising the state’s overall grade to a ‘C’—an improvement from the ‘C-’ it received in 2021. However, key sectors like drinking water, wastewater, and energy continue to struggle, receiving some of the lowest grades.

Fla. Senator’s bill aims to mitigate flooding by requiring storm drain inspections

According to ABC Action News, Florida state senator Danny Burgess has proposed a bill that would require stormwater drain inspections ahead of storm season in an effort to mitigate flooding.

Texas infrastructure stuck at ‘C’ as energy, water systems struggle

The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has given the state’s infrastructure a cumulative grade of ‘C’ in its 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card—unchanged from 2021.

Vortex launches water division to tackle aging infrastructure

Vortex Companies has launched Vortex Water, a new division focused on water infrastructure rehabilitation. The move expands the company's trenchless solutions beyond sewer and industrial systems to address aging water pipelines with advanced materials, liners, and trenchless technologies.

Wisconsin to invest $145 million in PFAS cleanup for municipal water systems

Gov. Tony Evers has announced a $145 million initiative as part of his 2025-27 Executive Budget to combat PFAS contamination, protect families from harmful water pollutants, and improve access to clean drinking water across Wisconsin.

In the know – CCTV contract administration

Many municipalities invest heavily in CCTV inspections for sewer condition assessment and face challenges throughout the collection process that can be traced back to avoidable issues in contract administration. Efficient administration is crucial for successful CCTV inspection contracts, yet the essentials are often learned through trial and error.

Driggs, Idaho commits to $25 million wastewater upgrade after Clean Water Act violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice, the state of Idaho, and the City of Driggs, Idaho have agreed on a series of measures the city will undertake to address chronic violations of the Clean Water Act, including a major upgrade of its wastewater treatment plant.

EPA and Washington fine Seattle, King County for sewer overflow violations

The Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have jointly issued penalties to Seattle and King County for violations related to combined sewer overflows.

Leaking wastewater systems named top source of San Diego River contamination, study finds

(UI) — A five-year study by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) has identified deteriorating wastewater infrastructure as the primary source of human fecal contamination in the San Diego River.

Weeks after storm, major infrastructure repairs continue on I-40, utilities in Western North Carolina

Several weeks after Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, significant infrastructure damage, including key sections of I-40 and local utilities, continues to hamper the region.

Oklahoma City publishes water service line inventory, plans to replace lead pipes by 2027

The Oklahoma City Utilities Department has published an online inventory of all water service lines connected to the city’s water system, as part of its efforts to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

Lubbock, Texas, completes water service line inventory, finds no lead pipes

Lubbock Water Utilities has completed a comprehensive inventory of water service lines, confirming that there are no lead service lines in the city.

Lummus Technology expands PFAS detection and treatment services

Lummus Technology, a global leader in process technologies, has introduced new analytical services for detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as "forever chemicals."

EPA mandates lead pipe replacement within 10 years, allocates $44 million to New Jersey for clean water

The Biden-Harris Administration has introduced a new rule requiring U.S. water systems to replace all lead pipes within the next decade, aiming to reduce lead exposure and provide cleaner drinking water.

Water utilities race to complete lead line inventories as EPA deadline looms

As the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Oct. 16 deadline approaches, water utilities across the U.S. are scrambling to submit detailed inventories of lead service lines as required by the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Wisconsin Whey Protein settles for $350,000 over wastewater violations

Wisconsin Whey Protein Inc. has agreed to pay $350,000 and install a new cooling system to resolve violations of state wastewater and stormwater laws at its Darlington cheese and whey plant.

Seattle's SR 99 tunnel to undergo first six-year inspection

The Washington State Department of Transportation will conduct a comprehensive six-year inspection, which is required due to the tunnel's unique structure and federal regulations.

Tyco reaches $750 million settlement in PFAS water contamination lawsuit

Tyco has agreed to pay $750 million, pending final court approval, to resolve claims that its products contaminated public water systems. The settlement is aimed at compensating affected water systems, including those with water sources that have tested positive for PFAS.

EPA blames state for Jackson water crisis, cites inadequate oversight

The EPA has released a critical report highlighting the Mississippi State Department of Health’s failures in overseeing Jackson’s water system, which contributed to the 2022 water crisis impacting 150,000 residents.

Crown launches divisions for underground lead pipe inspection, remediation

Crown Electrokinetics Corp. has announced the formation of two new divisions, Element 82 and PE Pipelines, aimed at tackling the issue of lead pipes in drinking water systems.

Rochester, N.Y., begins $5 million lead service line replacement project

Construction has begun on a critical drinking water project in Rochester to replace 772 residential lead and galvanized water service lines.

Baltimore awards $7.6 million contract for lead water line inspections

Baltimore has awarded a $7.6 million contract to Electro Scan Inc. for inspecting water service lines for lead. Electro Scan will use its proprietary technology to identify and inspect water service line materials, including lead pipes.

Settlement reached in $312 million AFFF contamination case for public water systems

Angeion Group announced a settlement with BASF Corporation in a class action lawsuit involving all active public water systems in the United States with impacted water sources as of May 15, 2024.

Cadiz's ATEC Water Systems secures $1.5 million in new groundwater filtration contracts

The contracts involve groundwater treatment in Wisconsin, Nevada, and Washington state, including projects at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Portland suburbs, and rural Nevada clean energy sites.