Stormwater
NYC plans $68 million Prospect Park Bluebelt to curb flash flooding
New York City plans a $68 million stormwater project in Prospect Park to reduce flash flooding using Brooklyn’s first Bluebelt, with construction expected to begin in 2029.
New 4,000-foot tunnel to boost Detroit sewer capacity, prevent flooding
The Great Lakes Water Authority has begun construction on an $87 million stormwater diversion tunnel in southwest Detroit, designed to reduce sewage backups, basement flooding, and improve water quality along the Rouge River. The 4,000-foot tunnel will redirect excess wet-weather flows to an existing retention and treatment basin, boosting system resilience ahead of expected completion in 2028.
$86 million Miami Beach project to rebuild drainage, sewer north of 14th Street
Miami Beach is moving forward with an $86 million design-build project to replace drainage, water and sewer infrastructure in the West Avenue neighborhood, including a new 120,000-gpm pump station and major underground utility upgrades north of 14th Street.
Wichita, Kan., advances $36 million Bleckley Drive drainage overhaul to curb chronic flooding
Wichita is advancing a $36 million, multi-phase drainage and utility project on Bleckley Drive, replacing aging stormwater infrastructure with new underground sewers and rebuilt roadways to reduce chronic flooding through 2028.
Granite to build $350 million I-290 drainage, sewer upgrade in Chicago
Illinois is moving forward with a $350 million I-290 drainage and sewer improvement project—the state’s first CM/GC contract—adding more than three miles of large-diameter trunk sewers to reduce flooding along the Eisenhower Expressway in Chicago.
Potomac River Tunnel project enters construction phase beneath Washington, D.C.
DC Water has begun tunneling for the 5.5-mile Potomac River Tunnel Project, part of the Clean Rivers Program to reduce sewer overflows and improve water quality in Washington, D.C. The tunnel will cut overflow volume by 93 percent once complete.
NYC launches long-awaited sewer, drainage project for flood-prone neighborhood
New York City will finally bring modern sewer and stormwater systems to The Hole, a flood-prone area on the Brooklyn-Queens border. The project includes new sanitary and storm sewers, bluebelts, and elevated streets to reduce flooding and protect water quality.
Rep. Deluzio proposes $350 million in federal funding for stormwater, sewer flood mitigation
U.S. Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) has introduced the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Grant Reauthorization Act, a bill that would renew roughly $350 million in federal funding to help municipalities nationwide combat flooding, upgrade stormwater systems, and modernize combined and sanitary sewer infrastructure.
St. Louis program prevents 100 million gallons of stormwater from reaching the Mississippi
St. Louis is investing $120 million in green infrastructure projects that use rain gardens, bioretention basins, and urban farms to capture and filter stormwater. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District’s initiative is expected to prevent more than 100 million gallons of runoff from reaching the Mississippi River, reducing combined sewer overflows and improving water quality.
Largest-ever PENNVEST funding round to improve drinking water across Pennsylvania
Governor Josh Shapiro announced a $547 million investment — the largest in PENNVEST history — to upgrade Pennsylvania’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems across 23 counties, replacing lead lines and improving treatment capacity statewide.
$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.
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized
- Alaska LNG pipeline could require 7,000 workers at peak construction, developers say
- Ohio trench collapse kills one worker, injures two during pipe installation
- Elon Musk's Boring Co. fined for dumping drilling waste into Vegas sewer system
- $1.4 billion Midwest pipeline expansion to move more Canadian oil to U.S. Gulf
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized
- Massive water line failure leaves majority of Waterbury without service
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines