Sewer
Houston Public Works Director Unveils Sewer, Water Plans
Dale Rudick, director of Houston’s Public Works and Engineering Division, discussed the department, current projects and its upcoming, five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) at the Dec. 7 luncheon meeting of the Underground Construction Technology Association Gulf Coast Chapter. As director, Rudi..
John Deere and AGTEK Collaboration Increases Customer Support
As contractors increasingly use 3D digital models and GPS technology when grading a job site, John Deere is joining forces with AGTEK − a leading provider of takeoff and 3D modeling software for the civil construction industry − to increase efficiency and ease the takeoff and modeling process across..
Texas Town Agrees to Extensive Sewer System Upgrades
The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the city of Tyler, Texas, agreed to significantly upgrade its sanitary sewer system to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act. The city will also undertake extensive operational improvements to its s..
Water Technology Program Names Inaugural Class
Pipeline H2O, a new water technology commercialization program managed by The Hamilton Mill, has announced its first class of companies. Supported by a coalition of regional cities, utilities, universities, and startup organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati region, Pipeline H2O’s goal is to..
Sewer Break That Caused Sinkhole May Cost Michigan $100 Million
FRASER, Mich. (AP) — The cost to fix a broken sewer line that caused a football field-sized sinkhole north of Detroit is estimated at more than $78 million, Macomb County’s new public works chief says. The project’s cost could rise above $100 million if more work is done to improve the rest of the ..
Alabama Town Receives $300K Grant to Extend Sewer Service
TUSKEGEE, Ala. (AP) — The City of Tuskegee has received a $300,000 grant to help the community meet development needs. Gov. Robert Bentley on Wednesday awarded the city a Community Development Block Grant that would be used to extend municipal sewer service along Highway 81 to Interstate 85 Exit 38..
Study Shows Feasibility of Large-Scale Regional Recycling Water Program
A new study has confirmed the feasibility of a proposed large-scale project to treat and purify wastewater and distribute it to groundwater basins across the region through a collaboration between the Metropolitan Water District and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County. The conclusion of ..
Most Evacuated Due to Detroit-Area Sinkhole Allowed Home
FRASER, Mich. (AP) — Most residents evacuated following last month’s collapse of a massive sewage line that caused a football field-sized sinkhole in suburban Detroit have been allowed home. Twenty-two houses were affected by the sinkhole in Fraser, including three that were condemned. Officials ha..
SoCalGas to Use Fiber Optic Technology to Monitor Pipelines in Real Time
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) will be one of the first natural gas utilities in the United States to incorporate innovative fiber-optic cable technology to detect impacts and leaks along its transmission and high-pressure pipeline system. The technology uses fiber-optic strands to tran..
Officials: Fix to Philadelphia Sinkhole Could Take Days
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Water Department says it could take days to fix a sewer pipe and water main that led to a sinkhole that was large enough to swallow two cars in the city’s Fishtown section. A 30 foot-by-10-foot hole that was 5 feet deep developed after a six-inch water main brok..
Broken Sewer Line to Blame for Philadelphia Sinkhole
KENSINGTON (AP) — The Philadelphia Water Department is blaming a broken sewer line for the water main break that caused a large sinkhole to open and swallow two cars. It says over time, soil slowly eroded the aging system, causing a six-inch water line to shift and eventually break. That caused th..
Sewer Line Collapse Forces Michigan Governor to Declare State of Emergency
FRASER, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s governor has declared a state of emergency for a county north of Detroit following the collapse of a massive sewage line that — so far — has caused a football field-sized sinkhole. The disaster declaration was made Friday by Gov. Rick Snyder and makes state res..
Pipeline Rupture Spills Wastewater into Carson River
RENO (AP) – An unknown amount of wastewater effluent has spilled into the Carson River in the Lake Tahoe area. The Reno Gazette-Journal reports that according to the Douglas County Sewer Improvement District, officials noticed the rupture in Minden on Tuesday and repaired the break on Wednesday..
Missouri PSC Sets Deadline for Proposed Water and Sewer System Sale
Lake Region Water & Sewer Co. and Camden County Public Water Supply District Number Four have filed a joint application with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking authorization for Camden County to acquire Lake Region’s existing water and sewer assets. Applications to intervene and partici..
Officials: Drilled Hole in Pipe May Have Caused Michigan Sinkhole
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A hole drilled through a concrete sewer line nearly 40 years ago may have led to soil erosion beneath another section of the pipe and the football field-sized sinkhole that has forced 22 families from their suburban Detroit homes. Macomb County Public Works Comm..
Company Increases Use of Drones to Inspect Electric Transmission Lines
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Westar Energy is increasing the use of drones for such things as inspecting equipment, navigating remote areas and managing some emergencies, as the utility tries to improve safety and efficiency while also saving money, company officials said. Westar and Kansas State University..
Barbies and Bacon Grease Keep Houston Sewer Crews Busy
HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron McCall had fed about a dozen feet of green hose into the sanitary sewer line running from Daniel Castillo’s house, blasting pressurized water toward the main city pipe, when the ground let out a deep belch. “OK,” said McCall, a city utility worker. “There, it’s down.” The Hous..
Smoke Testing Helps Georgia County Identify Sewer Lines in Need of Repair
The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) recently completed 400 miles of sewer pipe smoke testing, and identified public and private lines in need of repair. The smoke testing of sewer lines is one type of required assessment outlined in DeKalb County’s 2011 federal Consent Decree..
Pennsylvania American Water Acquires Scranton Wastewater System
Pennsylvania American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water, has completed the acquisition of the wastewater system assets of the Scranton Sewer Authority (SSA). The purchase price is approximately $195 million. The newly acquired system provides wastewater service to approximately 31,..
All Hands on Deck to Fix Broken Sewer Line in Michigan
FRASER, Mich. (AP) — The new public works commissioner in a suburban Detroit county is declaring “all hands on deck” to fix a broken sewer line that has created a major sinkhole and forced the evacuation of 22 homes. Former U.S. Rep. Candice Miller used her first day in office Sunday to urge Macomb..
Report: Future of Water and Wastewater Pipe Market Looks Bright
According to a new market report published by Lucintel, the future of the water and wastewater pipe market looks promising with opportunities in the potable water pipe, wastewater pipe, and irrigation pipe applications. The global water and wastewater pipe market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5% ..
Fitch Ratings: U.S. Water and Sewer Outlook Stable Despite Uncertain Regulatory Environment
Fitch Ratings has released the “2017 Outlook: Water and Sewer Sector.” According to the report, the 2017 rating for the municipal water and sewer sector is Stable. “Despite significant news this year related to lead water service lines in Flint, MI, the municipal water and sewer industry is otherwi..
West Virginia Gets Grants for Water, Sewer Projects
CHARLESTON (AP) — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has announced $12 million in federal grants for 12 water and sewer projects, including $1.3 million to help replace a sewer system in McDowell County that allows raw discharges into the Clear Fork River. Others include $1.5 million for Cairo’s repair of..
Feds Sue Virginia County for Blocking Sewer Permit for Mosque
CULPEPER, Va. (AP) – The Justice Department is suing Culpeper County, alleging the board of supervisors acted in a discriminatory manner when it denied a sewage permit for a proposed mosque. The Justice Department filed the suit Monday, asking a federal court to order the county to grant the necess..
University of Michigan, Google Create Flint Water Crisis App
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan and Google have teamed up to create an app and website aimed at helping Flint residents and officials deal with the lead-contaminated water crisis. Mywater-Flint was developed by computer science researchers at the university’s Flint and Ann Arbor camp..
Michels Upgrades Sewer and Catch Basin Cleaning Service
Michels Pipe Services has added a cost-effective, environmentally sound approach to sewer and catch basin cleaning in the Midwest. The service augments Michels’ comprehensive water and sewer maintenance and rehabilitation services throughout the nation. Michels recently purchased eight Camel 1200 w..
Colorado Celebrates “Water Research Foundation Day”
Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper proclaimed December 5, 2016 “Water Research Foundation Day,” in honor of The Water Research Foundation, a leading sponsor of innovative research supporting the water community. Originally based in New York, WRF has been a member of the Colorado business commun..
Florida DEP Awards $150,000 Grant for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently awarded a $150,000 grant for wastewater infrastructure improvements in Midway to eliminate failing septic tanks and provide sewer services. The project was funded through a 2016-17 state legislative appropriation. “We are pleased to partne..
The Great Lakes Water Utility Energy Challenge Launches
The Great Lakes Protection Fund and American Water Works Association have launched The Water Utility Energy and Efficiency Challenge, an innovative program which engages water operators in a competition to reduce the emissions sourced in their energy generation. The competition is aimed at connectin..
Major Underground Utility Infrastructure Conference Brings Education, Equipment To Fort Worth, TX
The 2017 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) is taking its benchmark education program to the Fort Worth Convention Center, Jan. 31-Feb. 2. Presented by Underground Construction magazine, UCT is the largest event in the United States focusing on undergroun..
- 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
- Two workers rescued after hours trapped in Mich. trench collapse
- Trump calls for Keystone XL pipeline revival, but developer has moved on
- 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