Sewer
Newsline: Sewer failures, pipeline projects and infrastructure investment drive national updates
Recent infrastructure updates highlight major sewer failures, pipeline expansions, fiber buildouts and water system investments across the United States.
When and why manhole rehabilitation is critical to sewer system performance
Manhole rehabilitation plays a key role in reducing infiltration, preventing structural failures and improving long-term sewer system performance.
Pipe cleaning critical to CIPP lining success in sewer rehabilitation
Proper pipe cleaning using high-powered nozzles and chain cutters is essential to ensure successful CIPP lining and long-term sewer system performance.
Midland, Texas sewer line break spills 125,000 gallons, crews deploy containment
A sewer line break in Midland, Texas, released 125,000 gallons of wastewater, prompting containment efforts and precautions for nearby residents.
Everett, Wash., considers $113-million water, sewer pipeline project to reduce overflows
Everett, Wash., is considering a $113 million water and sewer pipeline project to support the Port Gardner Storage Facility, aimed at reducing combined sewer overflows and improving stormwater management along a key waterfront corridor.
DC Water deploys drones to inspect Potomac interceptor after sewage spill
DC Water is deploying LiDAR-equipped drones to inspect the 54-mile Potomac interceptor following a 250 million-gallon sewage spill, as part of a broader effort to assess pipeline conditions and guide a $625 million rehabilitation program.
Emergency repair installs 30-in. sewer main after Germantown, Md., collapse
Crews installed 110 feet of 30-in. sewer main following a collapse in Germantown, Md., with bypass pumping continuing as restoration and rehabilitation work begins.
Ohio Senate bill targets data center water use, shifts infrastructure costs to developers
Ohio lawmakers are advancing legislation that would require data centers to cover water and sewer infrastructure costs tied to their operations, while imposing limits on high-volume water withdrawals—raising new implications for municipal systems facing growing demand from AI-driven facilities.
AECOM JV tapped for 3.25-mile CSO storage tunnel in NYC
AECOM and partners have been selected to oversee construction of New York City’s first combined sewer overflow (CSO) storage tunnel at Newtown Creek, a 3.25-mile project designed to reduce wastewater discharges and improve water quality.
Sewer line break causes underground void, closes Cinco Ranch intersection
A broken sewer line caused an underground void beneath a major intersection in Cinco Ranch, Texas, forcing road closures while crews investigate the collapse and begin repairs to the damaged wastewater infrastructure.
Giant steel pipe suddenly rises from sewer construction site in Osaka
A large steel retaining pipe unexpectedly rose more than 13 meters above ground at a sewer construction site in Osaka, Japan, after water was drained from the structure, temporarily disrupting traffic and infrastructure work.
Tnemec appoints director to oversee Epoxytec sewer rehabilitation solutions
Tnemec has appointed Matt Wierzchowski as Director of Epoxytec – Municipal Collections, strengthening the company’s focus on sewer rehabilitation, manhole protection, and protective coatings for municipal water and wastewater infrastructure.
Austin completes storm drain upgrade, greenbelt improvements along Williamson Creek
Austin officials have completed drainage upgrades and greenbelt improvements along Williamson Creek, including 1,600 feet of new storm drain designed to reduce flooding in southeast Austin.
244 million-gallon Potomac sewage spill exposes aging U.S. sewer infrastructure
A massive sewer pipe collapse released 244 million gallons of sewage into the Potomac River, highlighting widespread risks tied to aging wastewater infrastructure across the United States.
Virginia proposes $50 million for Richmond combined sewer overflow project
Virginia’s proposed state budget includes $50 million for Richmond’s combined sewer overflow project, part of a long-term effort to reduce sewage discharges into the James River.
Storm sewer breach blamed for Omaha sinkhole that swallowed vehicles
A viral sinkhole that swallowed two vehicles in Omaha has sparked a dispute between city officials and the Metropolitan Utilities District over whether a storm sewer failure or water main issue caused the collapse.
DC Water investigation details Potomac Interceptor failure
DC Water has released a condition assessment report on the January Potomac Interceptor sewer collapse, detailing prior inspections, emergency repairs and environmental response efforts.
New Jersey borough moves to fund long-delayed water and sewer upgrades
Manasquan, N.J., has approved new infrastructure and conservation fees to help fund maintenance and upgrades to its aging municipal water and sewer systems after years of deferred investment.
$17 million Turkey Gully drainage project targets flooding in Houston’s Greater Heights
Houston’s $16.9 million Turkey Gully Paving and Drainage Project in Shady Acres is nearing construction, with flood control improvements expected to reduce risk for hundreds of properties.
Ellicott City, Md., sewer rehab to replace exposed pipe in Bristol Channel stream
Howard County will replace an exposed eight-inch sewer pipe in a Bristol Channel stream in Ellicott City, Md., as part of its Sewer Asset Management Program, with construction set to begin in March.
Dominican Republic, Jamaica lead Caribbean water infrastructure investment push
Caribbean nations including the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica are planning major water and wastewater infrastructure investments to address aging systems, drought pressures and growing potable water demand.
Municipal sewer and water spending projected to reach $26.9 billion in 2026
UI’s 29th Annual Municipal Sewer/Water Infrastructure Forecast projects $26.9 billion in 2026 spending as federal Infrastructure Bill funding winds down and cities continue aggressive project design and release plans.
Malibu advances $125-million sewer pipeline project to support post-fire rebuilding
Malibu officials are advancing a proposed $125-million sewer collection system and pipeline project to support rebuilding of fire-damaged coastal properties, with a two-step property owner vote planned to fund design and construction.
PAA takes stake in LiquiForce to expand lateral lining across Canada
Per Aarsleff has taken an ownership stake in LiquiForce to expand lateral sewer lining and UV-cured rehabilitation services across the Canadian municipal market.
DC seeks federal reimbursement as Potomac sewer collapse repair costs near $20 million
Washington, D.C., is seeking full federal reimbursement as emergency repairs continue on the collapsed Potomac Interceptor sewer line, with response costs nearing $20 million.
San Diego officials highlight $5-billion stormwater infrastructure gap after heavy rainfall
Heavy rainfall in San Diego is spotlighting a growing stormwater infrastructure funding gap exceeding $5 billion, as city officials weigh long-term investment needs for aging underground drainage and flood control systems.
Oceanside, Calif., moves into Phase II of $30 million utility modernization
Oceanside, Calif., is launching Phase II of a $30 million downtown water and sewer replacement project, upgrading aging mains and expanding recycled water infrastructure over the next two years.
Vortex, Minicam partner to expand trenchless sewer rehab tools across North America
Vortex Companies and Minicam have formed a strategic distribution partnership to expand access to robotic cutting and LED UV curing systems for small-diameter trenchless sewer rehabilitation, strengthening contractor support across inspection, lining and reinstatement workflows.
Honolulu crews repair force main break at Pacific Palisades pump station
Honolulu crews are repairing a force main break at the Pacific Palisades Pump Station, with wastewater flows diverted and contained following the Feb. 10 rupture.
Phase 2 work begins on Brookglen stormwater basin in La Porte, Texas
Phase 2 construction of the Brookglen Stormwater Detention Basin is set to begin in La Porte, Texas, as part of Harris County’s flood risk reduction program.
- Oil pipeline struck during fiber optic construction spills into L.A. storm drains
- Utility strike at center of Dallas explosion investigation
- Gas line strike destroys three homes in Ohio neighborhood
- $1 billion Ohio River Tunnel project awarded in Pittsburgh
- Las Vegas advances multibillion-dollar water pipeline expansion