Legal
OSHA cites Chicago company for 2022 trench collapse that killed one worker
Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors determined the employer, Rooter Solutions Inc. of Burr Ridge, failed to install cave-in protection in the trench and did not require head protection, the agency announced Friday.
The water in Mississippi’s capital is safe to drink, city officials say
Jackson has struggled with water problems for decades. Most of the city lost running water for several days in August and September after heavy rainfall exacerbated problems at the city’s main water treatment plant.
Military members file claims for fuel in Hawaii Navy drinking water
A Navy sailor, an Army colonel and an Army major are the first active-duty military members taking the initial step toward suing the U.S. government over jet fuel that contaminated drinking water in Hawaii.
Michigan declines to charge former governor for Flint water scandal
Snyder was governor in 2014 when Flint, under state management, began using the Flint River as a water source. But unlike the previous supply, the water wasn’t treated to reduce the impact on old pipes, unleashing lead throughout the city.
EPA rejects Texas claim that new water rule leads to “regulatory uncertainty”
“Plaintiffs’ claims of harm are premised on either a complete disregard for the Rule’s similarity to the status quo they seek to maintain,” the Environmental Protection Agency said.
Idaho joins Texas lawsuit against Biden administration over federal clean-water rules
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador contend that a new interpretation of a Clean Water Act rule is too vague, oversteps the bounds of federal authority and puts the liberties of states and private property owners at risk.
Former Maui official gets 10 years for taking $2 million in wastewater contract bribes
A former Maui County official was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison for accepting $2 million in bribes from a Honolulu businessman in one of the biggest bribery cases in Hawaii history. Milton Choy, the owner of a Honolulu company that provides wastewater services and supplies, was accused of bribing Stewart Olani Stant, who was a wastewater manager and then director of the Maui County Department of Environmental Management.
Judge declares mistrial in engineers' Flint water trial
A judge declared a mistrial Thursday after jurors said they couldn't reach a unanimous verdict in a dispute over whether two engineering firms should bear some responsibility for Flint's lead-contaminated water.
Lack of water in Puerto Rico town sparks federal lawsuit
Puerto Rico’s water and sewer company was hit by a federal lawsuit on Thursday demanding that it provide services to thousands of residents who lack potable water on a daily basis.
4 companies cited for Louisiana chemical plant explosion
Federal labor regulators have cited four employers for safety violations related to an explosion that injured workers at a Louisiana chemical plant.
Michigan Supreme Court adds 2nd Flint water case to docket
The Michigan Supreme Court is getting more involved in Flint water criminal cases after agreeing to hear arguments about whether a one-person grand jury violates the state constitution.
NIPSCO to pay $12M to remove NW Indiana town's tainted soil
A utility must pay to remove soil tainted by coal ash from around homes in an Indiana community where the local aquifer is contaminated by the power plant waste.
Former sewer district bookkeeper pleads guilty to embezzlement
A former North Carolina sewer district bookkeeper pleads guilty to embezzlement of nearly half a million dollars.
Former Alabama water manager arrested on theft charges
A former manager of a Mobile-area water system was arrested on theft charges after authorities conducted a search amid allegations workers had used company money for lavish personal spending.
Officials OK water in Hawaii neighborhood after leak
Water is safe to drink for residents of a Pearl Harbor neighborhood over two months after a leak from a Navy storage tank contaminated the area's water supply.
Mississippi ex-employee pleads guilty to taking water payment money
A small-town Mississippi ex-employee pleads guilty to taking money from the town's water department.
A $65M settlement is approved for polluted water lawsuit
A New York judge approved a settlement with three companies over water supply contamination.
Flint water criminal cases move slowly in court
The prosecution of nine people is slowed down by disputes over millions of documents and even whether some cases were filed in the proper court.
Judge: Lawsuit can proceed against Flint water contractor
A judge on Jan. 10 refused to dismiss a lawsuit against an engineering company, which is accused of not doing enough to stop the flow of lead-contaminated water in Flint in 2015.
$40M fine proposed for gas pipeline builder after spill
A builder responsible for a multi-state pipeline faces a proposed $40 million fine for an accidental spill of 2 million gallons of drilling mud.
United States Fines BNSF $1.5 Million for Alleged Clean Water Act Violations
The Environmental Protection Agency fines the BNSF Railway Corporation $1,513,750 to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act.
Customers Would Get Refunds Under Settlement of Water Utility Case
Customers of an Arizona water utility would receive refunds in a settlement for unlawful rate increases.
Infrastructure Victory Creates New Challenges for Biden
President Biden faces new challenges after his $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill cleared Congress.
Former Utility Worker Accused of Water Tampering Changes Plea
Former water utility worker changes his plea to tampering with a public water system.
Senate Approves $1T Infrastructure Bill
The U.S. Senate passes the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that will rebuild and replace several infrastructure systems across the country.
Florida Officials Sue Over Tampa Bay Wastewater Dumping
Florida officials are suing an old fertilizer plant over a 215 million gallon spill that occurred earlier this year.
Company Fined $35M for Wastewater Spill in North Dakota
A company was fined $35M for waiting over five months to report a 2014 wastewater spill.
$1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Heads for Senate Debate
Lawmakers send a $1 trillion bipartisan bill to the Senate for final votes.
$65M Settlement Proposed in New York Polluted Water Lawsuit
A settlement was proposed for a federal class-action lawsuit over the contamination of the water supply in Hoosick Falls in upstate New York.
Supreme Court Won’t Sidetrack Plans for Natural Gas Pipeline
The Supreme Court sided with a pipeline company that needs to use New Jersey land to build a natural gas pipeline.
- 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
- Construction worker killed in trench collapse near Prosperity, S.C.
- Two workers rescued after hours trapped in Mich. trench collapse
- WES tunnel boring machine retrieved from Oregon river after seven-month project
- 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