Sewer
Charleston Water System faces lawsuit over “significant” sanitary sewer overflows
Since 2015, Charleston Water has had at least 176 illegal sewer overflows, many of which spilled raw sewage into Charleston’s waterways including the Ashley and Cooper Rivers and James Island Creek.
Saskatchewan receives $51 million investment for water, wastewater infrastructure upgrades
Communities throughout the Canadian province of Saskatchewan are set to undergo crucial upgrades to their water and wastewater infrastructure thanks to a joint investment exceeding $51 million from the federal and provincial governments.
NYC completes water, sewer infrastructure upgrades $1 million under budget
Over 1,300 feet of new storm sewers of up to three feet in diameter were installed to help carry out excess rainwater from the area. Over 3,600 feet of cast iron distribution water mains and a total of 1,032 feet of 10-inch sanitary sewers were upgraded to increase capacity.
Louisiana secures $69.4 million for upgrading drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems
The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Louisiana $69.4 million from his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to implement drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades.
Virginia’s Arlington County updates sewer plan for extensive 459-mile network
The board's endorsement entails an overhaul of its Sanitary Sewer Collection System Plan, a comprehensive strategy tailored to sustain the county's extensive 459-mile sewer network, which caters to nearly 238,000 residents.
EPA to begin sewer infrastructure repairs in Hawai’i following wildfires
Starting the week of February 26th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be clearing and inspecting sanitary sewer lines on Honoapiʻilani Hwy and Keawe Street in Lahaina, between Leialiʻi Parkway and Keawe Street (from Wahikuli Wayside Park to Safeway on Honoapiʻilani Hwy and from Minit Stop to Honoapiʻilani Hwy on Keawe Street).
North Carolina to invest $238 million in drinking water, wastewater, stormwater projects
North Carolina is set to allocate $238 million towards water infrastructure projects. The funding will support 114 projects aimed at improving drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
USDA awards $30,000 to Carson, N.D., for water, sewer systems study
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced an award of $30,000 to Carson, North Dakota, to complete a study analyzing the city’s existing water and sewer systems.
Rural Alabama communities to upgrade wastewater infrastructure with federal funding
In Lowndes County, Alabama, yards regularly flood with sewage from straight pipes or from broken pipes that clog when it rains. However, with the help of EPA’s technical assistance, known as “WaterTA,” the community of White Hall successfully applied for federal funding and received $450,000 to help accelerate their wastewater infrastructure goals.
Challenges of repairing rural water lines in urbanizing areas
To make repairs, the BCWA team has primarily relied on trackhoes (backhoe loaders) and mini excavators. However, in some environments, using these common equipment fleet staples of most rural water associations can potentially cause additional damage that will need to be addressed.
Mississippi plans sewer expansion as EPA extends wastewater initiative to 150 underserved communities
Mound Bayou’s town engineer is finalizing a facility plan for the MS CWSRF funding application by the state’s February 2024 deadline. The facility plan is the next step in the MS CWSRF process for funding a project and will include the proposed sewer extension project from Mound Bayou to the residents of Dunlap.
Funding still flowing despite economic headwinds, challenges
The last two years in America’s municipal infrastructure industry have seen tremendous increases in project activities driven primarily by significant boosts in government funding. If you happened to be a consulting engineer, contractor or manufacturer/supplier, business has been good. Now, 2024 has the potential to be a great year for many in infrastructure.
Canada's Oak Bay to receive $8.8 million sewer system overhaul
Stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in Oak Bay is set to undergo a significant transformation, thanks to a combined investment exceeding $8.8 million from the federal and provincial governments, alongside contributions from the District of Oak Bay.
Manila, Utah, secures $3.5 million for sewer improvements
Manila, Utah, has secured $3.5 million in funding aimed at improving its sewer system infrastructure, following the approval of grants and low-interest loans by the Permanent Community Impact Board.
New York to invest $49 million for statewide water infrastructure projects
The Board's approval authorizes municipal access to over $37 million in low-cost short-term financing and previously announced grants to modernize critical drinking water and sewer systems. This infusion of funding will help significantly improve water quality, protect drinking water, and promote economic development in local communities.
EPA begins sewer line inspections, drinking water sampling in Hawai’i following wildfires
These sewer line inspections will allow the County of Maui to prioritize the emergency repairs needed to protect the wastewater treatment plant from excess infiltration of salt water through damaged sewer pipes.
Federal audit finds ‘a lot of work remains’ in Puerto Rico’s hurricane and earthquake recovery
For example, officials from Puerto Rico’s Aqueduct and Sewer Authority said they anticipate that they will only be able to complete about half of the agency’s planned projects.
Atlanta progresses underground sewer infrastructure project to mitigate flooding
To meet the requirements of an EPA-issued Consent Decree, Atlanta DWM has contracted a multidisciplinary team to design and construct solutions that help control surface water, detain stormwater flows to the combined sewer system, and provide temporary underground storage to protect public health and property.
“Unprecedented” storms stress but don’t break Los Angeles sewer infrastructure
During the recent storms that battered Los Angeles County, floodwater caused temporary overloads to sewers. However, none of these overflows resulted from aging infrastructure or inadequate sewer maintenance.
EPA expands technical assistance program to improve wastewater infrastructure nationwide
To date, the Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap initiative has helped provide communities with no-cost technical assistance that helps identify affordable options for accessing wastewater infrastructure.
Lowell, Mass., to invest $195 million in sewer upgrades in settlement over water pollution
Lowell, Mass., has settled with the EPA and Massachusetts, agreeing to invest $195 million in sewer upgrades to reduce sewage discharges into the Merrimack River.
Maine governor fast-tracks $50 million infrastructure resilience plan
Governor Janet Mills plans to invest $50 million in the Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund to help Maine communities rebuild in the wake of the recent devastating storms and ensure their infrastructure can withstand the impacts of extreme storms in the future.
Washington's Department of Ecology proposes $386 million clean water investment plan
The Department of Ecology in Washington state has proposed $386 million in grants and loans for 134 high-priority clean water projects. These projects aim to upgrade wastewater treatment and sewer systems, manage polluted stormwater, and address nonpoint pollution across the state.
Jackson, Miss. sewer system on the mend under interim manager’s leadership
The report indicated that “significant progress has been made” in bringing the city’s failing sewer system into compliance with federal law, including repairing 90 main breaks in the last quarter of 2023. Additionally, more than 125,000 ft. of sewer line was inspected and repaired.
DEQ awards nearly $270,000 to four drinking water and wastewater systems across Idaho
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has announced the award of $267,500 to four drinking water and wastewater systems to help the facilities evaluate system deficiencies and determine necessary upgrades.
EPA to clean up underground storm sewer system in Michigan
EPA’s cleanup plan involves excavating and removing six manhole vaults and a 2,110-foot segment of concrete pipe along with stone bedding and backfill materials.
Guam Waterworks Authority to invest $400 million in sewer infrastructure following Clean Water Act violations
Sewer system upgrades will include practices to improve climate change resiliency of pump stations and to consider EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities initiative, including the Resilient Strategies Guide for Water Utilities.
Grant Road widening project in Tucson, Ariz., to include extensive sewer, water infrastructure upgrades
The widening of Grant Road involves water main replacement work, sewer main additions, cross roadway box culverts and storm drains, and a large 96-inch diameter culvert for storm runoff mitigation.
Pennsylvania's water infrastructure gets boost with $194 million investment
The federal funding supports 28 critical water projects in the state—addressing issues like lead pipe replacement, system rehabilitation, service upgrades, and environmental contamination reduction across drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
Maryland's ambitious flood mitigation project set to break ground in Ellicott City
The Extended North Tunnel, designed to carry 26,000 gallons of stormwater per second through a mile-long, 18-foot diameter tunnel, is a crucial element in the multimillion-dollar initiative to mitigate flooding in Ellicott City, Maryland.
- TxDOT advances massive drainage tunnel beneath I-35 in Austin
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- U.S. water reuse boom to fuel $47 billion in infrastructure spending through 2035
- $2.3 billion approved to construct 236-mile Texas-to-Gulf gas pipeline
- Major water pipe break in Puerto Rico hits over 165,000 customers
- 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
- 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
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized