Regulatory
California advances major sewer project to protect Yucca Valley’s groundwater
Yucca Valley, Calif., will move forward with a major groundwater protection project after the California Department of Fish and Wildlife approved a permit allowing septic tanks to be replaced with a new sewer system.
EPA orders Puerto Rico developers to halt water pollution at Rincón housing site
EPA has ordered two Puerto Rico construction companies to stop stormwater pollution at a Rincón housing development and comply with Clean Water Act permit requirements.
Louisiana contractor loses license over repeated water main failures, boil advisories
Louisiana regulators revoked the license of JLJ Construction, a longtime New Orleans contractor, after linking the firm to repeated water main failures and boil advisories costing the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Court upholds FERC approval of 1,000-foot border link in Texas-to-Mexico pipeline plan
A federal appeals court upheld FERC’s approval of a 1,000-foot border pipeline linking West Texas’s Permian Basin to Mexico, rejecting challenges from environmental groups over broader oversight and environmental review.
Public comment period closing for proposed 208-mile Miss. gas pipeline
According to Mississippi Today, residents have until Tuesday, August 5 to intervene in Kinder Morgan's proposed 208-mile-long gas pipeline that would span most of the state. An application for FERC approval was previously submitted in June.
Tennessee OKs land lease for Elon Musk’s Nashville tunnel project amid public pushback
Tennessee’s State Building Commission approved a free lease of state land for Elon Musk’s The Boring Company to begin work on the 10-mile Music City Loop tunnel—a critical step in infrastructure staging and project mobilization.
Federal court greenlights Crow Creek Gas pipeline construction in Idaho-Wyoming
A federal court cleared construction of the 48-mile Crow Creek natural gas pipeline between Idaho and Wyoming, rejecting environmental groups’ request to halt the project after the Forest Service’s supplemental review.
BLM reviewing application for 122-mile Ridgeline gas pipeline in Tennessee
The BLM is reviewing an application for the 122-mile Ridgeline Expansion Pipeline in Tennessee, proposed to supply gas to TVA’s Kingston Fossil Plant as it shifts from coal to LNG.
Plan for single Americas energy network gains momentum amid political push
Plans are taking shape to link power grids across the Americas — a project that could span from Alaska to Patagonia and reshape the continent’s energy future. Political leaders are reviving interconnection efforts as renewable power surpluses in Latin America grow.
Editor’s Log: EPA funding cuts put sewer, water infrastructure at risk
Editor-in-Chief Robert Carpenter examines how proposed EPA budget cuts could jeopardize key sewer and water funding programs, leaving cities scrambling as federal support dwindles.
U.S., Mexico sign deal to end decades-long Tijuana River sewage crisis
The U.S. and Mexico signed an agreement to accelerate sewage infrastructure projects and permanently resolve the decades-long Tijuana River pollution crisis affecting Southern California.
EGLE opens public comment phase for Line 5 tunnel project
Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has opened a public comment period for the Enbridge Line 5 tunnel project in the Straits of Mackinac. According to WLNS 6 News, members of the public can submit comments until Aug 29, with the EGLE launching a full review of the project this week.
PPI voices support for FLOW Act to accelerate lead line replacement
The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) today announced its strong support of the Financing Lead Out of Water (FLOW) Act, H.R. 3892. This bipartisan legislation will help communities across the country accelerate the removal of hazardous lead service lines.
New Mexico cities push to fast-track stalled water, sewer funding approvals
New Mexico cities are calling for reforms to speed up water and sewer infrastructure funding approvals, citing costly delays and project backlogs affecting communities statewide.
Ohio Supreme Court rules sewer line location isn’t a ‘defect’ in property dispute
For underground infrastructure professionals, the case highlights the legal boundaries of disclosure related to buried utilities.
Pipeline safety enforcement sees steep drop in Trump’s second term
According to regulatory filings, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has shown a steep drop in enforcement cases since Trump took office in January. Bloomberg Law reported that President Trump’s efforts to drive efficiencies in government branches have resulted in the record low for pipeline safety regulations.
Williams’ Northeast gas pipeline revived as New York reopens review process
New York regulators are reexamining the Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline after previously denying permits. Williams' gas project could reshape the state’s energy infrastructure as federal and state policies collide.
Over 1,600 lead lines replaced by Greater Cincinnati Water Works over the past year
Greater Cincinnati Water Works has replaced more than 1,600 lead service lines over the past year, a record number for the utility that exceeds the amount replaced last year by 30%, according to WVXU News. The utility is working hard to meet U.S. EPA regulations that require at least 10% of remaining lead lines to be replaced every year starting in 2028.
Texas approves $20 billion for water infrastructure; final decision up to voters
Gov. Greg Abbott signed a $20 billion infrastructure package to modernize Texas’ water systems and secure future supplies. The plan includes immediate upgrades and a 20-year funding proposal.
DEP launches SPEED program to fast-track stormwater construction permits
Pennsylvania DEP’s new SPEED program lets builders pay for an expedited third-party review of Chapter 102 stormwater permits, part of a broader push to modernize the state’s environmental permitting process.
N.C. court rules unmanaged stormwater runoff can constitute trespass
A North Carolina appeals court has confirmed that stormwater runoff crossing property lines without permission may be considered trespass, setting precedent for liability in cases where infrastructure agreements lapse. The decision underscores the importance of proactive stormwater management and clear easement terms in development and construction projects.
PHMSA withdraws pipeline inspection guidance, citing overreach
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has withdrawn a Biden-era advisory bulletin tied to the 2020 PIPES Act, citing federal overreach and excessive regulatory burdens on the pipeline industry.
High PFAS levels in Calhoun, Ga., spark legal action, water and sewer system reforms
Tests show PFAS concentrations in Calhoun’s drinking water about 600% higher than the EPA’s minimum reporting level, prompting a lawsuit, a settlement requiring tighter sewer-pretreatment controls, and new monitoring of residential wells.
Texas Legislature advances major water bill, eyes $1 billion in infrastructure funding
Texas lawmakers have approved legislation that could unlock $1 billion annually for water infrastructure and groundwater research, pending voter approval this November. The bill also marks the state’s first major investment in local aquifer science.
Study: Aging systems, regulations to drive $515 billion in U.S. water infrastructure upgrades
Bluefield Research projects U.S. capital spending on water and wastewater treatment infrastructure will top $515 billion by 2035, with most funding going toward aging system upgrades and regulatory compliance.
Texas House approves bill to strengthen state's water infrastructure
The Texas House gave initial approval to Senate Bill 7 on Monday, May 26, which if passed, would add $1 billion per year to the Texas Water Fund. Texas Governor Greg Abbott named the bill one of his seven emergency items for the legislative session, citing drought concerns in the state.
New tool allows tribal, local governments to model lead line replacement costs for free
Developed under the leadership of Anthony Ross, former EPA Flint Emergency Coordinator, the Lead Service Line Replacement Cost Calculator (LSLRCC) empowers users to accurately plan and budget for replacing an estimated 9.2 million lead service lines nationwide.
Inside Infrastructure: Pipeline safety debate continues, construction fully engaged
The issue of pipeline safety, especially with regard to preventing damage to underground facilities during excavation, is a longstanding priority of the excavation construction industry. Although pipeline safety legislation has traditionally been bipartisan, battles over climate change and other peripheral issues have polarized the pipeline safety debate and obstructed efforts to move a bill through the legislative process and enacted into law.
EPA lifts emergency order on Flint, Mich., water, restoring standard lead monitoring
The EPA has lifted its 2016 emergency order on Flint, Mich.’s drinking water, citing full compliance with federal lead standards. City officials vow continued investment in water safety and infrastructure.
Wisconsin Senate passes lead pipes bill, allowing private water utility access to federal funding
According to Wisconsin Public Radio, Republican members of the state's Senate have narrowly passed a bill that will grant access to federal funds to the state's only private water utility, Superior Water, Light & Power Company. The approval would make the company eligible for loans under Wisconsin's Safe Drinking Water Loan Program for lead pipe replacement projects.
- HDD industry faces challenges as cities push back on fiber drilling disruptions
- 2 workers killed, 1 injured while working on sewer line in Mobile, Ala.
- Tunnel boring continues under Chesapeake Bay for $3.9 billion HRBT Expansion project
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico
- Judge approves construction for key portion of $485 million pipeline in Larimer County, Colo.
- New products: Latest industry developments
- 31 workers rescued after LA tunnel partially collapses
- Ohio Supreme Court rules sewer line location isn’t a ‘defect’ in property dispute
- Faulconer Construction begins rock blasting for water pipeline project in Charlottesville, Va.
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico