Sewer
Local governments turn away $73 million of federal pandemic aid
From small towns to big cities, every government across the U.S. was offered a slice of $350 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds to help shore up their finances, cover pandemic-related costs and invest in community projects. For many cities and towns, those funds have been invested in sewer, water and stormwater infrastructure projects.
Lack of water in Puerto Rico town sparks federal lawsuit
Puerto Rico’s water and sewer company was hit by a federal lawsuit on Thursday demanding that it provide services to thousands of residents who lack potable water on a daily basis.
Harris calls water security and infrastructure a foreign policy priority
Vice President Kamala Harris said the U.S. is safer if people in other countries have sufficient water to drink, grow food and safely dispose of sewage, emphasizing that water access is a foreign policy priority.
Williamson County, Texas, designates $72.5 million for water infrastructure improvements
Williamson County, Texas, officials will use most of its federal Coronavirus relief money to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in various cities.
Long Beach, NY city officials approve $123M bond to reroute sewage out of Reynolds Channel
Long Beach City Council members approved a $123 million bond last week for a fully federally and state-funded project to reroute the city’s sewage out of Reynolds Channel.
EPA to award $21.7 million in grants to support clean, safe water for rural communities
The EPA announced its selection of technical assistance providers to receive $21.7 million in grant funding to support drinking water and wastewater systems that serve small and rural communities.
Finnish city plans to use heat from sewage to achieve net zero emissions
Turku, Finland, has cut its emissions by more than 50%, and is now looking to achieve net zero emissions by using industrial heat pumps to extract energy from waste flowing from the city's drains and sewers.
Wastewater monitoring begun during the pandemic may help prevent outbreaks
During the pandemic, the CDC developed the National Wastewater Surveillance System specifically to track COVID-19, but the same techniques work with other pathogens, including poliovirus, influenza and noroviruses.
West Virginia city officials discuss tapping federal relief money for water, sewer projects
Members of the Public Works Committee of Wheeling City Council discussed using federal pandemic relief money to fund stormwater and sanitary sewer projects during a city council meeting last week.
El Paso Water completes sewage clean-up at Rio Grande riverbend
El Paso Water and its partners have successfully completed the riverbed clean-up effort following the Frontera Wastewater Emergency.
Sacramento gets $3.5 million federal funding for stormwater projects
Sacramento, Calif., will get $3.5 million in federal funding to help pay for underground reservoirs to harden parts of the combined storm and sewage system within the city’s aging underground infrastructure.
Montgomery County, Ky kicks off construction on $65M sewer project
The Montgomery County Sewer Modernization and Revitalized Treatment (SMART) Project broke ground at the Western Regional Water Reclamation Facility in Boone County, Kentucky. The construction includes a new pump station and a pretreatment facility at the site.
Michigan city officials: ‘flushable’ wipes can back up sewer system
Officials in Tecumseh, Michigan, are echoing a warning given by community leaders across the country: wipes labeled “flushable” should not be flushed, as they can cause sewage blockages.
NY completes $148M investment in infrastructure upgrades to reduce flooding
The $148 million investment in Southern Brooklyn brings 6.5 miles of new sewers to reduce flooding and improve the health of Fresh Creek and Jamaica Bay.
South Dakota water board grants $431 million for rural water system infrastructure upgrades
The South Dakota Board of Water and Natural Resources approved $431 million in grants and loans for almost 30 rural water systems throughout the state.
Combined sewage systems increase overflow issues in Wisconsin
The president of the Alliance for the Great Lakes voiced his concerns about how sewage systems are holding up in Wisconsin given the increased levels of rain, specifically the overflowing of older infrastructure that collects both wastewater and stormwater.
Gas-fired power plant construction paused by NJ governor moves forward
A New Jersey sewage treatment plant in a predominantly minority neighborhood is pressing forward with its plan to build a gas-fired power plant, three months after the state's governor paused the proposal to make sure it does not overly burden the already polluted community.
United Rentals announces Confined Space Safety Week digital learning series
The webinars will take place the week of May 9 and will review steps that utilities and contractors can take to create safe environments for workers operating in confined spaces.
New York directs $168 million to upgrade town’s crumbling sewage system
After the docu-series “Wasteland” brought attention to the failure of the water and sewer system in Mount Vernon, New York, Governor Kathy Hochul announced $168 million in investments for replacements and upgrades.
STV infrastructure projects win American Council of Engineering Companies awards
STV, an engineering, architectural, planning and program and construction management services company, earned awards for sewer, water and wastewater projects from the American Council of Engineering Companies.
400 water and sewer systems in Alabama apply for $225 million of grant money
Almost 400 public water and sewer systems in Alabama have applied for grants to repair and upgrade their systems through a program funded by COVID-19 relief money, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management said.
Houston approves use of SuperCover to prevent inflow and infiltration
The City of Houston recently approved the use of SuperCover. It is now the only composite manhole cover approved by the fourth largest city in America.
Emerald spurs next generation of water infrastructure diagnostics with SewerAI investment
Emerald invests in SewerAI, a water infrastructure service provider in an effort to expand water infrastructure modernization.
Applications open for WVa residents for water, sewer bill assistance
West Virginia residents are now able to apply for help to pay for water or wastewater bills.
Flood Protection Program Virtual Industry Day set for April 21
The City of Virginia Beach is hosting a free virtual Flood Protection Program Virtual Industry Day on April 21 that's exclusive to engineers and contractors to learn about bid opportunities for the latest City stormwater and flood mitigation projects.
KEG Technologies eliminates pipe obstructions with superior cleaning nozzles
KEG Technologies uses superior cleaning nozzles to effectively eliminate underground pipe obstructions.
Former sewer district bookkeeper pleads guilty to embezzlement
A former North Carolina sewer district bookkeeper pleads guilty to embezzlement of nearly half a million dollars.
EPA chief witnesses sewage problems in Alabama’s Black Belt
The administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency said he witnessed “unacceptable” problems with raw sewage fouling properties of residents of Alabama’s Black Belt.
Detroit program to reduce basement flooding from storms
A new program will launch in Detroit to target basement flooding from intense storms by preventing the overload of sewer systems.
South Carolina Senate to discuss aid for water, fiber upgrades
The South Carolina Senate will debate how to allocate federal spending money with proposed spending for water, sewer, and broadband upgrades.
- 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
- 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