Sewer
Two workers killed while installing sewer pipes in Texas
(UI) — In Texas, two workmen were killed in December while laying sewer pipes in a ditch more than two floors below ground, The Charlotte Observer reported. The workers were crushed under thousands of pounds of soil and rocks when a large portion of the excavation collapsed.
$600 million designated for struggling water system in Mississippi
The federal government will put $600 million toward repairing the troubled water system in Mississippi's capital city — a project that the mayor has said could cost billions of dollars.
North Carolina to invest $19 million for water infrastructure upgrades in Yadkin, Surry counties
(UC) — Governor Roy Cooper announced on Dec. 20 North Carolina’s Yadkin and Surry counties would receive $4 million for floodplain resiliency improvements, $8.1 million for water treatment plant filter and clear well replacements and $6.9 million for meters and water line replacements.
Tennessee secures $186 million loan to modernize wastewater infrastructure in Chattanooga
(UC) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $186 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan granted to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to support its Wastewater Compliance and Sustainability Project.
Massachusetts fines city for illegal sewage discharge into Lake Quinsigamond
(UC) — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the city of Worcester have reached a settlement following the unauthorized discharge of approximately six million gallons of untreated wastewater to Lake Quinsigamond that occurred in February 2022. The city must pay a $13,000 penalty to the state.
Aquasight launches intelligent wastewater solution to improve utility resiliency to flooding
(UC) — Aquasight's ACE Intelligent Wastewater technology provides critical insights to storm events in time for utilities to minimize flooding impacts or potential sewer overflows. The digital solution generates past, live, and forecasted storm analysis and its impacts on sewers for proactive wet weather management.
Army Corps awards 5-year, $25 million contract for water, wastewater projects to Stantec JV
(UC) — Under this contract, the Stantec-Freese and Nichols joint venture (JV) team will provide the Mobile District and WWTCX with a full range of support services on water, wastewater, and civil works projects, including treatment processes and technologies, energy reduction and optimization, models of water and wastewater networks, pump stations, and other related systems.
Rehab Technology: Tips for Using Bypass Pipe Plugs for Sewage Bypass
(UI) — Pipe plugs are designed to perform three essential functions: blocking a pipeline, conducting an air test in a pipeline, and bypassing effluent in an active pipeline. Blocking a pipeline becomes necessary during new installation or maintenance, when effluent needs to be temporarily stopped or a new pipe is air tested for leaks.
Governor Hochul awards $55.4 million for water infrastructure projects across New York
(UI) — Governor Kathy Hochul has announced $55.4 million in funding for water infrastructure improvement projects, the latest action to upgrade New York's water and sewer systems, reduce water pollution, and safeguard vital drinking water supplies.
Regulators limit fracking waste in Delaware River watershed
A regulatory agency responsible for the water supply of more than 13 million people in four Northeastern states moved Wednesday to ban gas drillers from dumping fracking wastewater in the Delaware River watershed and to make it difficult for them to take fresh water out.
Virginia’s wastewater infrastructure receives “poor” rating by engineering group
(UI) — The Virginia Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released the 2022 Report Card for Virginia's Infrastructure on Tuesday, where 11 categories of infrastructure received an overall grade of a “C”. Specifically, the state’s water infrastructure received a grade of “D+”. According to the report, a C is considered “mediocre” while a D is “poor.”
EPA awards New Jersey $169 million in funding for water infrastructure improvements
(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded New Jersey nearly $169 million in funding for water infrastructure improvements that will help communities access clean, safe and reliable drinking water, increase resilience, collect and treat wastewater to protect public health, clean up pollution, and safeguard vital waterways.
US officials say 2 more places will test sewage for polio
Philadelphia and Oakland County, Michigan, are joining the small list of U.S. localities that are looking for signs of polio infections in sewage, U.S. health officials said Wednesday.
Global Water Resources to provide water services to new manufacturing facility in Arizona
(UC) — Global Water Resources Inc. has received a certificate of convenience and a permit from the Arizona Corporation Commission to provide water, wastewater and recycled water services to Procter & Gamble Co.’s new manufacturing facility in Coolidge, Arizona.
Oregon granted $6.6 million in funding for water projects
(UC) — The Oregon Water Resources Control Board awarded $6.6 million to two irrigation efficiency projects, an aquifer recharge plan, and additional funding for a grant that had already been authorized, the Capital Press reported.
$410 million awarded to Missouri for wastewater, stormwater infrastructure upgrades
(UC) — Governor Mike Parson announced on Nov. 18 that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded Missouri $410 million to help improve drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure as well as lead service line inventories.
Pennsylvania’s wastewater infrastructure rated “poor” by engineering group
The Pennsylvania Council of the American Society of Civil Engineers released the 2022 Report Card for Pennsylvania's Infrastructure on Tuesday, where 15 categories of infrastructure received an overall grade of a “C-”. Specifically, the state’s water infrastructure received a grade of “D”. According to the report, a C is considered “mediocre” while a D is “poor.”
Burst sewage pipe adds to infrastructure woes at COP27
Attendees of this year's U.N. climate conference in Egypt found themselves stepping over streams of foul-smelling fluid Wednesday after a pipe or tank holding liquid waste appeared to have burst near one of the venue's main thoroughfares.
Ohio agrees to spend $85 million in effort to reduce sewage discharge into Lake Erie, Rocky River
(UC) — The city of Lakewood, Ohio, has agreed to perform work that will significantly reduce discharges of untreated sewage from its sewer system into Lake Erie and the Rocky River. Lakewood will spend about $85 million to improve its sewer system and will pay a civil penalty of $100,000, split evenly between the United States and Ohio.
Governor Beshear awards $217 million to support clean water initiatives across Kentucky
(UC) — Governor Andy Beshear has awarded over $217 million in funding to support 408 projects that will provide clean drinking water and improve water infrastructure across 102 counties in Kentucky.
Florida city prepares to undergo $20 million expansion of water, sewage utility network
(UC) — The city of Tallahassee wants to begin planning the expansion of water and sewage utility services to Southside neighborhoods. Planning, according to the City Commission, would cost $2 million. The total undertaking is anticipated to cost around $20 million and take three years to finish.
New York kicks off construction on $55 million wastewater treatment project in Buffalo
(UC) — Governor Kathy Hochul has kicked off construction on a $55 million wastewater improvement project at the Bird Island Wastewater Treatment Facility in the city of Buffalo. This project will increase the facility's capacity to handle intense rain events that can overwhelm Buffalo's combined sewer/stormwater system. These improvements will reduce untreated sewage effluent discharges to the Niagara River.
Florida governor invests nearly $5 million to support water infrastructure upgrades
(UC) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced $4.9 million in infrastructure investments last Thursday to eight rural Northwest Florida communities through the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) program. Awards include upgrading water and wastewater utilities, constructing public roadways and public building renovations.
US Justice Department sues Idaho city over water pollution
The federal government is suing a small Idaho town near Grand Teton National Park for dumping toxic waste from its sewage treatment plant into a stream that feeds several scenic rivers in the region.
Sewage spill prompts beach closure near Los Angeles
A stretch of Los Angeles area beach was closed after sewage was discharged near a creek that flows to the ocean, health officials said.
Colorado OKs reusing wastewater for drinking, creating new supply
Colorado’s water quality agency gave unanimous preliminary approval to regulate direct potable reuse — the process of treating sewage and sending it directly to taps without first being dispersed in a larger water body.
Pennsylvania allocates $236 million to 15 counties for water infrastructure renovations
(UC) — Governor Tom Wolf announced the investment of $236 million for 23 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and non-point source projects across 15 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.
Artificial Intelligence Speeds Houston’s Sewer Inspections Under Sharp Eye of EPA
(UC) — Working with California-based Sewer AI, through engineering and consulting firm HR Green, Houston has made artificial intelligence a core piece of its inspection and repair workflow since 2021 – the same year a federal judge approved its agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its co-plaintiffs, including the state commission that administers the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA).
Pennsylvania approves use of $320 million in funding for water and sewer projects
(UC) – According to Senator Lisa Baker, the General Assembly approved use of $320 million to help communities across the commonwealth improve the reliability and quality of their water systems. A total of $214.4 million was directed to the H2O grant program and $105.6 million was directed to the Small Water and Sewer grant program.
New York distributes $31.3 million to six municipalities for water infrastructure upgrades
(UC) — New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that six municipalities will receive $31.3 million in financial assistance for critical water infrastructure improvements that are crucial to protecting public health and the environment.
- Intrepid Fiber breaks ground on fiber optic network in Superior, Colo.
- Excavator collides with I-95 overpass in Henrico, Va., causing multi-vehicle crash
- Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts
- Construction worker killed in trench collapse near Prosperity, S.C.
- Two workers rescued after hours trapped in Mich. trench collapse
- WES tunnel boring machine retrieved from Oregon river after seven-month project
- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes
- Ameren Illinois to invest $140 million in natural gas pipeline replacement program
- 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