Regulatory
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.
USGS study estimates 45% of tap water has PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ present
(UI) — According to a new conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, at least 45% of the nation’s tap water is estimated to have one or more types of the chemicals known as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS.
Lynchburg, Va., plans $100 million tunnel project to conquer sewer overflow and CSO compliance
(UI) — The $100 million tunnel project is anticipated to be built using a tunnel boring machine. It will boast a completed diameter of approximately 12 feet, extend 4,700 feet in length, and rest 80 feet below ground.
Mountain Valley urges US Supreme Court to lift stays and resume pipeline construction
(UI) — Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC has submitted a request to the U.S. Supreme Court to lift stays issued by a federal court that had stopped work on a section of its West Virginia-to-Virginia natural gas pipeline.
Lawmakers seek extended deadline, funding for crucial water pipeline project in New Mexico
(UI) — The Indian Affairs Committee met on July 12 to discuss a bill that could affect water access for thousands of households in rural New Mexico. A $67 million contract was already issued to build water pipelines, but now lawmakers want more time and funds to complete and maintain the infrastructure.
Federal judge halts WOTUS litigation until Biden issues new ruling
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas temporarily stopped litigation over the Biden administration’s water regulation. Considering a recent Supreme Court decision, the judge opted to wait until the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers can revise the rule.
Tijuana, reliant on the Colorado River, faces a water crisis
Among the last cities downstream to receive water from the shrinking Colorado River, Tijuana is staring down a water crisis driven also by aging, inefficient infrastructure and successive governments that have done little to prepare the city for diminishing water in the region.
New leak detection rules for pipelines proposed
(UI) — The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has proposed major changes to its leak detection based not on concerns about safety but, rather, in order to reduce methane emissions related to their contribution to climate change.
Cities prioritize water main replacement, neglecting buried lead pipes
Around the country, utilities have been leaving lead pipe in the ground even when it is easiest to remove during water main work. Worse, they have been removing sections, disturbing the pipe and leaving the rest, which can spike lead levels, causing harm that will last a lifetime, an investigation by The Associated Press has found.
Flint contractor agrees to settlement of lead contamination lawsuits
Flint families sued LAN and another contractor, Veolia North America, accusing them of not doing enough to get Flint to treat highly corrosive water or to urge a return to a regional water supplier.
EPA invests $278 million to improve water infrastructure for Tribes, Alaska Native Villages
(UI) — The Biden-Harris administration has announced over $278 million in funding to improve access to safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services for American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages.
Supreme Court ruling complicates Navajo Nation’s fight for more water
Already facing some of the most severe water scarcity in the drought-stricken Southwest, the tribe now has to deal with a Supreme Court ruling this week that will make securing water even harder for the 170,000 enrolled tribal members who live on its reservation.
New York’s West Seneca set to upgrade 92,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer mains
(UI) — The Buffalo News reports that the state of New York-mandated sewage restoration project in West Seneca is about to start one of its most extensive phases. The town of West Seneca has already spent almost $17 million upgrading decaying sewage lines.
3M reaches $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of water systems with ‘forever chemicals’
Chemical manufacturer 3M Co. will pay at least $10.3 billion to settle lawsuits over the contamination of many U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially harmful compounds used in firefighting foam and a host of consumer products, the company said Thursday.
Biden-Harris administration awards $930 million for middle-mile infrastructure
(UC) — The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration has announced over $930 million to expand middle mile high-speed Internet infrastructure across 35 states and Puerto Rico.
Supreme Court rules against Navajo Nation in Colorado River water rights case
States that draw water from the river — Arizona, Nevada and Colorado — and water districts in California that are also involved in the case had urged the court to decide for them, which the justices did in a 5-4 ruling.
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.
Arizona governor ends water dispute with new legislation, giving hundred access to city water
The law aims to ensure that small communities like Rio Verde Foothills have access to water in a state plagued with water supply problems.
Officials challenge California governor’s plan to accelerate underground tunnel construction
Supporters say the project, commonly known as the Delta tunnel, is a much-needed update of that water delivery system, which they say is not equipped to handle periods of prolonged drought followed by intense storms, like what happened earlier this year when the state was hit by roughly a dozen atmospheric rivers.
- TxDOT advances massive drainage tunnel beneath I-35 in Austin
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- Is the Boring Company tunneling blind in Nashville? Experts warn rock tests fall short
- $2.3 billion approved to construct 236-mile Texas-to-Gulf gas pipeline
- U.S. water reuse boom to fuel $47 billion in infrastructure spending through 2035
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines
- Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
- Is the Boring Company tunneling blind in Nashville? Experts warn rock tests fall short
- Utah city launches historic $70 million tunnel project using box jacking under active rail line
- Tulsa residents warned after sewer lines damaged by boring work