Sewer Construction
$77 million Western Trunk sewer line project begins in Lakeland, Fla.
The city of Lakeland, Florida, Water Utilities Department kicked off construction earlier this month for its largest infrastructure project to date, according to LkldNow. Construction crews have begun work to upgrade the Western Trunk Gravity Sewer line, which handles approximately 3.5 million gallons of wastewater per day.
Nebraska communities unite to build regional wastewater system, opening path for growth
Sarpy County and five cities in Nebraska completed the first phase of a major wastewater project, overcoming geographic barriers to expand sewer service and unlock regional development.
Editor’s Log: Miles and miles to go
In this month’s Editor’s Log, Editor-in-Chief Robert Carpenter examines the persistent challenges facing major cities like Chicago in managing stormwater and sewer infrastructure, highlighting why even billions in federal funding still leave critical gaps.
Arkansas commits $575 million to strengthen statewide water, sewer infrastructure
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs legislation to invest $575 million in Arkansas water and wastewater infrastructure, supporting rural systems and long-term funding through 2043.
Massachusetts awards $1.24 billion for water, wastewater infrastructure projects
Massachusetts awarded $1.24 billion in loans and grants to fund 67 water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the state, supporting clean water, PFAS remediation, and energy efficiency improvements.
Dubuque, Iowa, plans $130 million sewer expansion; residents could see higher bills
Dubuque is moving forward with a $130 million plan to expand sewer capacity in the Catfish Creek sewershed. The upgrades aim to prevent overflows and support future growth, but could raise residential utility bills by 9%.
Bellevue, Wash., sewer upgrade is first project of its kind to earn Salmon-Safe certification
King County’s major sewer upgrade in Bellevue, Wash., is the first infrastructure project of its kind to earn Salmon-Safe certification. The current sewer line in the Coal Creek Natural Area, installed in the 1960s, is nearing its capacity to serve surrounding communities. The new pipeline will largely bypass the natural area while much of the existing pipeline will be safely decommissioned and left in place to minimize disruption.
$60 million sewer project approved to improve Cape Cod water quality
According to Cape Cod Times, $60 million has been approved for a sewer project to improve water quality in the Great Pond area of Falmouth, Mass. Great Pond is known as one of the town’s most polluted water bodies.
Fairfield, Conn., to begin $31 million East Trunk sewer line replacement in May
A long-planned replacement of the East Trunk sewer line is set to begin in May 2025, with construction expected to last about 18 months. The project will replace aging sewer infrastructure to improve wastewater system reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and prevent future disruptions.
48-inch sewer line project begins in Visalia, Calif.
Sewer construction along Shirk Avenue in northwest Visalia is set to begin on March 17 after a weather-related delay. Crews will work through March 21, installing a 400-foot, 48-inch mainline sanitary sewer pipe to expand capacity and support future growth.
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.
Pennsylvania American Water begins $2 million, 3,200-foot sewer upgrade in Scranton, Dunmore
Pennsylvania American Water has started a $2 million sewer line upgrade in Scranton and Dunmore, replacing more than 3,200 feet of sewer pipe. The project began last month and aims to improve the local wastewater collection system.
Austin Water repairs wastewater main after 115,000-gallon overflow
On March 4, Austin Water crews responded to a broken 16-inch wastewater main behind 5806 Cyrilla Drive in Austin, Texas, leading to a sanitary sewer overflow of approximately 115,000 gallons.
RWRA seeks approval for $18.4 million sewer project in Owensboro, Ky.
According to Messenger-Inquirer, the Regional Water Resource Agency is asking city and county officials to approve a loan to replace a major sewer line in downtown Owensboro, Kentucky. The project would replace the city's current force main with a larger pipe to prevent overflow.
Wastewater pipeline project to begin construction in Auburn, Calif.
According to YubaNet, work is set to begin next week on the North Auburn Wastewater Pipeline Project. The project is Phase I of the larger-scale Highway 49 wastewater capacity improvement project, which includes installation of a new wastewater pipeline (force main). Completion is expected later this year.
Fort Worth begins two-year water, sewer main replacement downtown
Construction is underway in downtown Fort Worth to replace aging water and sewer mains, aiming to improve service reliability. Work began on March 3 and is expected to take two years, with a seven-week pause during the 2026 World Cup.
Omak, Wash., secures funding to upgrade water, sewer infrastructure linked to bridge replacement
As Washington state prepares to replace a key bridge in Omak, the city must address a related infrastructure challenge: relocating or upgrading a water main attached to the aging structure. The Washington State Public Works Board has awarded Omak $210,000 in pre-construction funding to support the effort.
New Jersey American Water invests $520 million in 2024 infrastructure upgrades
New Jersey American Water invested more than $520 million in water and wastewater system upgrades across its service areas in 2024, the company announced on Feb. 20.
Sewer upgrade to begin under Nautical Mile in St. Clair Shores, Mich.
The project will involve the installation of a new sewer line beneath Jefferson Avenue, aiming to reduce sewer discharges into Lake St. Clair.
Tyler, Texas, City Council approves $28 million sewer upgrade
The Tyler City Council has approved a $28.2 million contract with Belt Construction of Texas, LLC, to improve sewer line capacity in the downtown area.
Lynchburg, Va., expanding sewer access, upgrading waterlines in Richland Hills and College Hill
Construction is underway on two major utility projects in Lynchburg: the Richland Hills Sewer Extension Project and the Sixth & Madison Utility Improvements Project in College Hill. The upgrades aim to improve water service, sewer access, and stormwater management for residents.
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.
Nev. community approves $16 million contract for sewer extension project
According to The Record-Courier, Pine View Estates in Carson Valley, Nevada, has approved a $15.99 million bid from contractor Aspen Developers to extend sewer to the community. The homeowners’ association board met at the end of January to make a final decision on awarding the bid.
Lexington, Ky., begins 8,000-foot sewer line project along New Circle Road
Construction is set to begin the week of Feb. 10 on an 8,000-foot sanitary sewer project along Lexington’s New Circle Road corridor. The nearly two-year project will replace aging sewer infrastructure that is more than 55 years old.
$9 million in sanitary sewer projects to kick off in Canton, Ohio this year
According to The Canton Repository, the city of Canton, Ohio has plans in motion to commence more than $9 million worth of sanitary sewer construction and repair projects in 2025. The announcement follows an administrative order from the U.S. EPA.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funds $26 million sewer project in Lee County, Va.
Virginia's Lee County will receive $26.25 million in federal funding to upgrade its wastewater infrastructure, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA) announced.
Honolulu reports two sewer overflows after heavy rain
Heavy rains triggered two sanitary sewer overflows in Honolulu on Monday, according to the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV).
Bloomington, Minn., adopts sewer fee to support infrastructure upgrades
Bloomington’s growing redevelopment has pushed parts of the city’s sanitary sewer system to capacity, prompting the need for $55 million in upgrades by 2040.
Fending off water freeze in combination sewer cleaners
Winter delivers a multitude of challenges for sewer cleaner operators, and protecting essential equipment from the ravages of freezing temperatures is among the top priorities. For owners of combination sewer cleaners, the potential for costly damage due to frozen water is a significant worry.
Jacobs helps modernize Virginia’s Alexandria sewer system to improve water quality
The RiverRenew project involves the construction of a 2-mile-long, 12-foot diameter tunnel, along with two drop shafts, a deep pump station, and other infrastructure upgrades.
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- NTSB publishes preliminary report on fatal gas pipeline explosion in Lexington, Mo.
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds
- Ditch Witch West sells first Bulldog trencher to speed up undergrounding work along West Coast
- Centuri awarded nearly $400 million for U.S. gas infrastructure work
- Maryland lawmakers push to curb BGE pipeline spending, citing safety and cost concerns
- 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
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish