Sewer
Utility & Communications Construction Update
The spread of the coronavirus has upended almost every staple of U.S. life, and businesses have no sense of what the next two weeks, much less the next two months, could look like. With these themes as the backdrop, there are some takeaways we can share for planning the next six months, as we consider both oil and the spread of the coronavirus.
Researchers Test Wastewater to Track Spread of Coronavirus
Researchers have determined that wastewater testing can provide an effective way to measure the prevalence of Covid-19 and gain a better understanding of its spread in communities where other means of testing may under-report its presence.
Lametti & Sons Completes Complex Microtunneling Project
Lametti & Sons recently completed a complex microtunneling project as part of a $5 billion infrastructure development in Rochester, MN.
Underground Construction and Related Industries Respond to Coronavirus
While much of North America hunkers down to wait out the coronavirus pandemic, essential workers at companies throughout the underground construction industry are continuing to deliver vital services to customers.
Trump Administration Pushes for More Wastewater Recycling
The Trump administration is making a water-recycling push it says could get good use out of more of the wastewater that industries, cities and farms spew out, including the billions of barrels of watery waste generated by oil and gas fields each year.
Fort Lauderdale Fined Nearly $2 Million for String of Sewer Leaks
The state of Florida is fining the city of Fort Lauderdale $1.8 million for a series of sewage spills that spilled over 200 million gallons of sewage from December 2019 through February 2020.
North Carolina Rural Communities Getting Over $2 Million for Water Infrastructure Upgrades
The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved grant requests to local governments in excess of $2.5 million to improve and update water and sewer infrastructure.
23rd Annual Municipal Sewer/Water Infrastructure Forecast
It’s a presidential election year, and usually that spells trouble for public works funding programs. However, for the sewer, water and stormwater markets, that doesn’t seem to be the case in 2020. Cities expect spending to be stable, or even grow.
California Could Limit ‘Flushable’ Wipes Tied to Sewer Clogs
Legislation in California that advanced on Thursday would require that wet wipes products that cannot be flushed down the toilet – the scourge of sewer systems nationwide – must be clearly labeled as such.
2020 Outlook and Utility & Communications Construction Update
The United States construction market is steady and growing slightly amidst the second-longest period of sustained economic expansion since 1964. Despite fears of an impending slowdown, FMI Research projects that construction put-in-place will increase year-over-year by slightly less than 1 percent in 2019 (down from 3 percent in 2018).
$234 Billion CAPEX Expected over Next 10 Years for Water/Wastewater Infrastructure
More than $234 billion of capital expenditures (CAPEX) are forecasted over the next decade to address aging municipal water and wastewater pipe network infrastructure. Precipitated by decades of underinvestment, municipal utilities are under increasing pressure to address deteriorating linear assets at a faster pace.
Sewer Blockage Pushes Waste Into 300 New York City Homes
A blocked sewer main flooded basements last month with brown filth and left residents in the neighborhood near New York City’s Kennedy Airport feeling sickened by the stench.
New Mexico Communities get Funding for Water Projects
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is directing nearly $34 million in federal funding for improvements to water and wastewater systems in New Mexico, including projects at Laguna Pueblo and the cities of Lordsburg and Truth or Consequences.
USDA to Invest Over $630 Million in Water Improvement for Rural Communities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy has announced that the department is investing $635 million in 122 projects to improve water systems and wastewater handling services in rural communities in 42 states.
Construction Begins to Repair Damage From 120 Million Gallon Sewer Leaks in Florida
Construction has begun to repair damaged sewer lines in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida after nearly 130 million gallons of sewer water leaked over several days last December.
NJ American Water to Purchase Long Hill Township Sewer System
New Jersey American Water said it has signed an agreement to acquire the wastewater assets of the Township of Long Hill, N.J. for $12.7 million.
Don't Blame the Fatbergs: Collapsed Pipe Caused NYC Sewage Backup
New York City officials initially named fatbergs as the likely suspect when 127 homes were flooded with raw sewage last month. But an investigation found that the flooding was caused by a collapsed pipe, a newspaper reported, opening the city to liability damages that could reach millions of dollars.
US: Barrel Company Used Hidden Drain to Pollute County Sewer
A Seattle barrel company indicted in a "long-running pollution conspiracy" is accused of using a hidden drain to pump caustic wastewater directly into the King County sewer system.
Austin Approves $78 Million Wastewater Upgrades
The Austin City Council this week approveda $78 million project to expand the capacity of its wastewater treatment facility to 10.4 million gallons per day (MGD) from 8.475.
LAN Starts Construction of Conroe Treatment Plant
Construction has started on a $60 million wastewater treatment plant for Conroe, Texas—the fast-growing U.S. city—located north of Houston.
New Mexico Communities get Funding for Water Projects
Nearly $34 million in federal funding is being funneled to New Mexico to help make improvements to water and wastewater systems.
Sewer Blockage Pushes Waste Into 300 New York City Homes
Experts suspect "fatbergs" were to blame for a blocked sewer main that flooded basements with brown filth over the weekend and left residents of a New York City neighborhood feeling sickened by the stench.
USDA to Invest Over $630 Million in Water Improvement for Rural Communities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing over $630 million in water infrastructure improvements for rural communities across 42 states.
East Trunk Sewer Project Solves Weather Risk
Kimberly Paggioli, P.E. While rain is often a welcome sight along the western shore of Lake Michigan, some Mequon, Wis., residents and business owners began to eye the prospect of precipitation with dread. After numerous hazardous and costly sanitary sewer backups, it was clear that a plan of acti..
Belfast Completes $5.5 Million Sewer Upgrade Project
NI Water has completed a $5.5 million (5 million euro) upgrade of major sewers within the city center of Belfast, Northern Ireland, to reduce flooding and improve water quality in the River Lagan.
Cranbrook, B.C. Completes Sewer Relining Project
The city of Cranbrook, British Columbia’s 2019 Capital Works Program is wrapping up with the recent completion of the sewer relining project in the downtown area.
EPA Funds Completion of Rhode Island Tunnel Project
Rhode Island officials finally have an end in sight for a $1.5 billion system of tunnels to prevent tainted stormwater from entering Narragansett Bay, following federal funding approval to help complete the project
South Carolina: Google can Pump Drinking Water for Servers
South Carolina is allowing Google to cool its servers by pumping nearly 550 million gallons of water annually from a declining aquifer.
Sewage from Manhole Spills into Durham, N.C. Creek
City officials in Durham, N.C., said the state Department of Environmental Quality was notified after a buildup of rags blocked a sewer main and caused a spill into Ellerbe Creek.
New Orleans Could Get Up to $111 Million Loan for Sewer Upgrades
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering a $111 million loan for the City New Orleans to help upgrade and improve its aging sewer infrastructure.
- Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
- Trump vetoes bill to finish $1.3 billion Colorado water pipeline
- PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- OSHA seeks $1.2 million fine after fatal trench collapse in Connecticut
- Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Construction jobs stumble into 2026 after weak year
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility