Regulatory
California steps in to regulate over-drafted groundwater resources
The state’s water resources board set an April hearing to determine whether the Tulare Lake Subbasin in the heart of California’s farm country should be placed on probation.
Milwaukee suburb begins pulling millions of gallons per day from Lake Michigan
The city asked regulators in 2010 for permission to withdraw the water because its groundwater wells are contaminated with radium, a naturally occurring radioactive metal.
EPA investigates Alabama’s sewage funds for discrimination against black residents
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday it has opened a civil rights investigation into whether Alabama discriminated against Black residents when handing out funding for wastewater infrastructure.
Lakehaven Water and Sewer District penalized for pollution, required to improve systems
(UI) — The Washington Department of Ecology has penalized the district $85,200 for polluting Cold Creek and issued an administrative order for system improvements and enhanced emergency notifications.
EPA settlement with XTO Energy resolves Safe Drinking Water Act injection well violations in Utah
XTO failed to timely provide the agency with all information necessary to transfer the permits from XTO to Utah Gas Corp and failed to notify the Agency of the loss of mechanical integrity for one of its wells and to take prompt action to repair the well.
HDD mud spills force authorities to halt wastewater pipeline construction in NY’s Genesee County
(UI) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has stopped construction of a wastewater pipeline in New York's Genesee County due to multiple incidents of drilling fluid spills in a protected wetland.
South Dakota panel denies application for CO2 pipeline; Summit to refile for permit
South Dakota regulators on Monday rejected a permit application for a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline through the state, dealing a fresh setback to the company behind the multistate project after North Dakota refused a siting permit for another leg there.
Federal officials release draft environmental review of Dakota Access oil pipeline
The draft was released more than three years after a federal judge ordered the environmental review and revoked the permit for the Missouri River crossing, upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation.
Advocates urge expanded public hearings about Baltimore’s water and sewer system
(UI) — The Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force announced that it would hold four in-person meetings throughout this fall before recommending a new governance model for the city’s water and wastewater system.
Communities unite to overcome decades of undrinkable water in West Texas
In rural West Texas, water problems underscore a broader issue: a 2016 report revealed 65 Texas systems with excessive arsenic, impacting 51,000 residents. Despite this, around 65 residents convened at a July meeting united in their aim to establish the South Plains Water Supply Corporation. Moreover, relief is on the horizon with $2.5 billion in federal funding allocated for water infrastructure.
Ruptured sewer pipe leads to 300,000-gallon sewage spill in Annapolis
(UI) — An incident involving a damaged sewer pipe has resulted in the release of around 300,000 gallons of sewage into a neighborhood in Annapolis, Maryland.
North Carolina sets the stage for new federal water protection rules
A month after the U.S. Supreme Court severely restricted the federal government’s power to oversee wetlands, the Republican-dominated North Carolina legislature handed state agencies an order: Don’t give the ecologically crucial waters any more protection than newly weakened federal rules provide.
After Supreme Court curtails federal power, Biden administration weakens water protections
The Biden administration weakened regulations protecting millions of acres of wetlands Tuesday, saying it had no choice after the Supreme Court sharply limited the federal government’s jurisdiction over them.
Former fiscal officer repays mishandled sewer fees in Ohio's Gallia County
(UI) — A former fiscal officer has reimbursed $7,047 in sewer receipts collected from customers but not deposited into the Village of Centerville's accounts in Gallia County, as announced by Auditor of State Keith Faber.
Governor Hochul secures $185 million for New York water infrastructure
(UI) — Governor Kathy Hochul has secured over $185 million for water infrastructure projects across New York. The Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors has given the green light to provide financial assistance for vital water infrastructure improvements throughout the state.
Leaking milk into city's sewer system forces closure of 110-year-old creamery
(UI) — Hastings Creamery, a longstanding dairy institution that has served Minnesota and Wisconsin for over a century, has closed its doors due to an incident involving the release of substantial amounts of milk and cream into the city's wastewater plant.
Kinston City Council greenlights Vernon Avenue sewer rehabilitation project
(UI) — This pivotal initiative, assigned to Herring Rivenbark Inc., aims to enhance the sewer system beneath Vernon Avenue, a prominent hub for Kinston's businesses and attractions.
East Canton clean water disconnection program addresses sewer capacity and growth
(UI) — To prevent a costly replacement of sewer infrastructure and potential rate hikes, the new program offers eligible sewer customers in East Canton, Ohio, financial assistance—covering up to 75% of the expenses—to disconnect clean water sources from their sanitary sewer connections.
New York governor commits $20 million to Erie County water infrastructure upgrades
(UI) — The allocation will enable the Erie County Water Authority (ECWA) to embark on a long-anticipated $80 million modernization project, including the renewal of water filters responsible for treating 60 million daily gallons from Lake Erie.
Federal judge orders utility to turn over customer information amid reports of improper water use
In a Monday court filing, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate granted a motion by Ted Henifin — the federally appointed interim manager of Jackson’s water and sewer systems — that compels Entergy Mississippi to turn over names, addresses and contact information for customers in over 30 zip codes in the area.
California company fined $5 million for illegally dumping wastewater in Mississippi
View Inc., a firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, previously pleaded guilty to negligently discharging wastewater into a city sewer system from the company’s sole manufacturing facility in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
Proposal aims to enhance gas, water pipelines across federal lands near Rifle, Colorado
(UI) — The proposal involves the construction of natural gas and produced water pipelines crossing federal land south of Rifle, Colorado, covering a total of seven miles. This includes 2.9 miles through U.S. National Forest land, 2.1 miles across Bureau of Land Management territory, and another 2.1 miles over private property.
Residents push back against plans for underground carbon dioxide storage in western Indiana
More than 150 people attended a hearing on the project Thursday at Indiana State University. Many residents complained about a lack of communication about the project and the potential for groundwater contamination and accidents that could release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
New permitting provisions in budget bill slight natural gas industry
(UI) — The natural gas industry greeted the permitting reform bill Congress passed, and President Biden signed last month with something short of enthusiasm. The permitting provisions in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 had only glancing benefits for gas pipelines and were chiefly written to benefit wind, solar and electric energy deployment.
EPA allocates $450 million to improve water infrastructure in four states
(UI) — The federal government has recently allocated over $450 million in funding for water projects in California, Colorado, Florida, and Washington.
Nebraska senator secures $20 million in funding for critical water infrastructure projects
(UI) — Sen. Deb Fischer's measure was overwhelmingly passed Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee, securing more than $20 million for water infrastructure projects across Nebraska.
Bloomfield Township's NPDES permit relies on new ordinance for stormwater control
(UI) — Bloomfield Township's NPDES permit hinges on a new ordinance aimed at preventing non-stormwater discharges from entering the municipal separate storm sewer system, as unanimously enacted by the Township's Board of Trustees on July 24.
Supreme Court allows construction to resume on Mountain Valley Pipeline
Work on the Mountain Valley Pipeline had been blocked by the federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, even after Congress ordered the project’s approval as part of the bipartisan bill to increase the debt ceiling. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law in June.
W.Va. asks Supreme Court to set aside ruling that blocks Mountain Valley Pipeline construction
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey argued that the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, lacked jurisdiction to block the Mountain Valley Pipeline. In a statement Monday, he said any challenges to Congress’ action must be heard by a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.
Sandy, Ore., settles Clean Water Act violation with penalties and sewer hookup limits
(UI) — Sandy, Oregon, has settled Clean Water Act violations by agreeing to pay $500,000 in civil penalties and implement sewer hookup limits. This comes after the city exceeded permitted levels and polluted Tickle Creek and the Clackamas River.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- West Virginia approves $67 million for water, sewer projects