Stormwater
$2 billion, 20-story-deep DigIndy tunnels complete in Indianapolis
Indianapolis has completed the $2 billion DigIndy Tunnel System — a 28-mile network running 20 stories underground — to capture stormwater and sewage overflows, improving water quality and protecting the White River.
Chattanooga advances $153 million project to prevent sewer overflows
Construction is progressing on Chattanooga's Environmental and Economic Infrastructure Improvements (e2i2) project, a major component of the Tennessee city’s Clear Chattanooga initiative to reduce sewer overflows and improve water quality.
Tampa breaks ground on major drainage improvement for El Prado neighborhood
In Tampa, construction begins this month on a $6.9 million stormwater project along South Manhattan Avenue to reduce neighborhood flooding and improve drainage, with completion expected in 2026.
Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) says federal trade tariffs and ongoing market uncertainty have added more than $33 million to the cost of a critical sewer infrastructure project at the Mill Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Musk-backed $760 million Houston flood tunnels draw political support, engineering doubts
Elon Musk’s Boring Co. is pushing a $760 million plan to build smaller flood tunnels under Houston with the backing of Rep. Wesley Hunt, but engineers question whether the design can handle the city’s massive stormwater needs.
St. Louis, Mo., hides four miles of River Des Peres in tunnels beneath Forest Park
Hidden beneath Forest Park, St. Louis's River Des Peres flows through four miles of century-old tunnels. MSD plans a deeper, expanded system to handle growing wastewater and stormwater needs.
Valparaiso, Ind., begins stormwater separation project to protect Salt Creek
Valparaiso, Ind., has launched a sewer and stormwater separation project to cut flooding, protect Salt Creek, and reduce combined sewer overflows. The upgrade will eliminate 20 storm inlets from the system and is set to begin construction in 2026.
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.
Wilsonville, Ore., proposes sewer, stormwater rate increases to fund $240 million upgrades
Wilsonville is reviewing sewer and stormwater rates to fund $240 million in long-term infrastructure projects, with public hearings planned ahead of a fall adoption vote.
New Orleans utility launches AI tool to track neighborhood flooding
New Orleans flooding tool, SWBNO FloodTracker, ISeeChange AI partnership, New Orleans stormwater management, catch basin reporting New Orleans, localized flooding New Orleans, SWBNO drainage maintenance, stormwater infrastructure tracking.
NYC subway flooding ignites concerns over stormwater infrastructure
Officials in New York are re-examining the city's infrastructure and stormwater systems following flash flooding last week that inundated parts of the city's underground subway system.
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.
Ala. man survives being pulled into flooded drainage pipe, carried 500 feet underground
A man in Alabama survived a harrowing ordeal last week after he was sucked into a flooded drainage pipe and swept hundreds of feet through an underground pipe system during severe weather. According to NBC affiliate WVTM 13, the city of Trussville's public works department is currently reviewing options to improve stormwater safety and reduce future flooding risks.
Union workers' strike in Philadelphia will affect water, wastewater systems
Thousands of union workers went on strike this week following a stall in contract negotiations with the city of Philadelphia. Many employees who have walked off the job are responsible for repairing and maintaining the city's water, wastewater and stormwater systems, CBS Philadelphia reported.
New York approves nearly $200 million for local water, wastewater, stormwater projects
The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) has cleared nearly $200 million in low-cost financing and grants for municipal water infrastructure, giving dozens of communities new resources to modernize wastewater plants, replace aging drinking-water mains and control storm-runoff.
Tucson, Ariz., issues floodplain notice for Esquer Park stormwater upgrade
Tucson has issued a final floodplain notice for a planned stormwater basin reconstruction at Esquer Park, part of a federally funded effort to improve drainage in a FEMA flood zone and federally designated floodplain.
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.
University of Kentucky wins award for 25-million-gallon stormwater harvesting system
The University of Kentucky’s Utilities and Energy Management team earned a Grand Award for its stormwater harvesting system, which captures and reuses up to 25 million gallons annually to help power the Central Utility Plant.
TxDOT breaks ground on massive drainage tunnel to reduce flooding in Austin
The Texas Department of Transportation has launched construction on a 6.5-mile drainage tunnel and pump station system in Austin to prevent flooding along I-35. The multi-phase project is a key part of the I-35 Capital Express Central initiative.
Staten Island completes $84 million storm sewer upgrade in Sandy-hit New Dorp Beach
NYC completes $84 million underground storm sewer project in Staten Island’s New Dorp Beach, adding over 1.6 miles of drainage upgrades in Superstorm Sandy-affected area.
Des Moines, Iowa, eliminates final combined sewer overflow into Des Moines River
Des Moines and the WRA have eliminated the final combined sewer overflow into the Des Moines River, completing a major wastewater upgrade under a state mandate.
Veolia lands SFPUC contract to transform wastewater into decarbonized energy
Veolia, through its Water Technologies & Solutions business unit, has earned a $34 million contract to supply biogas upgrading technology for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) Southeast Treatment Plant.
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.
Hoboken, N.J., installs new stormwater pumps in $100 million flood resiliency effort
Hoboken and the North Hudson Sewerage Authority installed five new stormwater pumps at ResilienCity Park, a major step in a $100 million effort to modernize sewer systems, mitigate flooding, and build climate resiliency.
Charleston County, S.C. deploys trenchless tech for pipe repair, sinkhole prevention
Charleston County Public Works has successfully applied trenchless technology as a no-dig solution to fix aging stormwater pipes around the South Carolina county, and prevent sinkholes with minimal disruption, ABC4 News reported.
NYC’s DEP completes excavation phase for underground tank to prevent sewage overflow into area canal
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the early completion of excavation for an 8-million-gallon underground tank that will intercept and store combined sewage that would otherwise overflow into the Gowanus Canal during rainstorms.
ASCE gives U.S. infrastructure best grade yet—stormwater, wastewater and energy still near failing
The American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. infrastructure its highest grade since 1998, but critical systems like stormwater, wastewater, and energy remain near failing, according to the 2025 Report Card.
Supreme Court backs San Francisco in Clean Water Act case, limits EPA authority on sewage discharge
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in favor of San Francisco on March 4, 2025, ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cannot hold the city accountable for water quality conditions it cannot control.
Folly Beach, S.C., to vote on $7.4 million stormwater infrastructure project
According to WCSC News, the city of Folly Beach, South Carolina, is considering upgrading a nearly 80-year-old portion of its stormwater infrastructure. City Council will meet soon to vote on whether to award $7.4 million to a construction company for the proposed improvements.
DC Water granted approval for construction of Piney Branch Tunnel Project
DC Water’s Piney Branch Tunnel Project is moving ahead with construction, the next phase of the Authority’s Clean Rivers initiative. The 4.2-million-gallon underground storage facility will capture stormwater and untreated sewage during heavy rains, holding it until the overflow can be released back into the system during low flow periods and treated at the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility.
- Three Houston workers killed by hydrogen sulfide leak during sewer repair
- Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
- TxDOT advances massive drainage tunnel beneath I-35 in Austin
- Funding approved for $1.3 billion, 60-mile water reuse system in southern Utah
- Is the Boring Company tunneling blind in Nashville? Experts warn rock tests fall short