Sewer
Alaska’s infrastructure grade rises to ‘C’, but water and energy still lag
The ASCE has released its 2025 Report Card for Alaska’s Infrastructure, raising the state’s overall grade to a ‘C’—an improvement from the ‘C-’ it received in 2021. However, key sectors like drinking water, wastewater, and energy continue to struggle, receiving some of the lowest grades.
PURIS acquires Creekside, expanding trenchless pipeline services
PURIS has completed its acquisition of Creekside. Creekside, through its Insight Pipe and IPC Services brands, specializes in trenchless pipeline rehabilitation services for wastewater and stormwater sewer applications through the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.
New Jersey American Water invests $520 million in 2024 infrastructure upgrades
New Jersey American Water invested more than $520 million in water and wastewater system upgrades across its service areas in 2024, the company announced on Feb. 20.
Scores of animals using Florida city’s sewer system, researchers find
A team of University of Florida researchers in Gainesville, Fla. recently discovered an “abundance of animals” using the city’s sewer system. The research team set up 39 cameras in 33 different stormwater sewers in Gainesville in order to record wildlife activity in the underground tunnel system over a period of 60 days.
Texas infrastructure stuck at ‘C’ as energy, water systems struggle
The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has given the state’s infrastructure a cumulative grade of ‘C’ in its 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card—unchanged from 2021.
Sewer upgrade to begin under Nautical Mile in St. Clair Shores, Mich.
The project will involve the installation of a new sewer line beneath Jefferson Avenue, aiming to reduce sewer discharges into Lake St. Clair.
Tech Tips: Effective in-house root control for sewer systems
Roots infiltrating sewer systems are a major concern for many municipalities, leading to blockages, overflows, and potential EPA fines. Traditional root-cutting methods, such as spinner nozzles for light to medium roots and root saws for heavier growth, can cause pipeline deterioration over time.
Tyler, Texas, City Council approves $28 million sewer upgrade
The Tyler City Council has approved a $28.2 million contract with Belt Construction of Texas, LLC, to improve sewer line capacity in the downtown area.
Lynchburg, Va., expanding sewer access, upgrading waterlines in Richland Hills and College Hill
Construction is underway on two major utility projects in Lynchburg: the Richland Hills Sewer Extension Project and the Sixth & Madison Utility Improvements Project in College Hill. The upgrades aim to improve water service, sewer access, and stormwater management for residents.
Vortex launches water division to tackle aging infrastructure
Vortex Companies has launched Vortex Water, a new division focused on water infrastructure rehabilitation. The move expands the company's trenchless solutions beyond sewer and industrial systems to address aging water pipelines with advanced materials, liners, and trenchless technologies.
Final construction phase kicks off for Indianapolis deep rock tunnel
According to Mirror Indy, Citizens Energy Group’s DigIndy tunnel system has entered its final construction phases, and residents of Indianapolis should be prepared for a few road closures this month as construction continues.
Minn. utility, excavation company acquired by Bituminous, expanding underground reach
According to Southwest News Media, G.F. Jedlicki, an underground utility and excavation company based in Chanhassen, Minn., has been acquired by Bituminous Roadways, a local asphalt company.
Nev. community approves $16 million contract for sewer extension project
According to The Record-Courier, Pine View Estates in Carson Valley, Nevada, has approved a $15.99 million bid from contractor Aspen Developers to extend sewer to the community. The homeowners’ association board met at the end of January to make a final decision on awarding the bid.
Lexington, Ky., begins 8,000-foot sewer line project along New Circle Road
Construction is set to begin the week of Feb. 10 on an 8,000-foot sanitary sewer project along Lexington’s New Circle Road corridor. The nearly two-year project will replace aging sewer infrastructure that is more than 55 years old.
Water, sewer rates to increase in Republic, Mo. to cover infrastructure upgrades
According to KY3 News, water and sewer rates are expected to increase for Republic, Mo., residents. The water rate increases will benefit the city’s water infrastructure, while the sewer rate increases will help pay off part of the $50 million state loan used for upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Colorado Springs begins $11 million storm drainage project in Park Vista South
Construction is underway on storm drainage improvements in the Park Vista South neighborhood of Colorado Springs, a project aimed at addressing flooding and public safety concerns along the Templeton Gap Floodway.
Portland, Ore., achieves one year without sewage overflow into local river
According to OPB News, Portland, Ore., celebrated a notable achievement this week when it reached one full year with no sewage overflows into the Willamette River. In 2011, the city completed a $1.4 billion, two-decade sewer overhaul project, which has significantly reduced the number of overflow incidents.
$9 million in sanitary sewer projects to kick off in Canton, Ohio this year
According to The Canton Repository, the city of Canton, Ohio has plans in motion to commence more than $9 million worth of sanitary sewer construction and repair projects in 2025. The announcement follows an administrative order from the U.S. EPA.
Editor’s Log: The burning bus of blame
In this month’s Editor’s Log, Editor-in-Chief Robert Carpenter delves into the challenges facing America’s underground infrastructure, from aging sewer and water systems to mismanagement and political inaction. As cities grapple with critical upgrades, the fallout from neglect—such as water crises and fire disasters—continues to mount.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funds $26 million sewer project in Lee County, Va.
Virginia's Lee County will receive $26.25 million in federal funding to upgrade its wastewater infrastructure, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA) announced.
Hawaii American Water contains 370,000-gallon wastewater overflow
The overflows, caused by extreme precipitation, led to the discharge of approximately 370,000 gallons of untreated wastewater into Kuapa Pond and a nearby tributary.
In the know – CCTV contract administration
Many municipalities invest heavily in CCTV inspections for sewer condition assessment and face challenges throughout the collection process that can be traced back to avoidable issues in contract administration. Efficient administration is crucial for successful CCTV inspection contracts, yet the essentials are often learned through trial and error.
Honolulu reports two sewer overflows after heavy rain
Heavy rains triggered two sanitary sewer overflows in Honolulu on Monday, according to the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV).
Bloomington, Minn., adopts sewer fee to support infrastructure upgrades
Bloomington’s growing redevelopment has pushed parts of the city’s sanitary sewer system to capacity, prompting the need for $55 million in upgrades by 2040.
Fending off water freeze in combination sewer cleaners
Winter delivers a multitude of challenges for sewer cleaner operators, and protecting essential equipment from the ravages of freezing temperatures is among the top priorities. For owners of combination sewer cleaners, the potential for costly damage due to frozen water is a significant worry.
Jacobs helps modernize Virginia’s Alexandria sewer system to improve water quality
The RiverRenew project involves the construction of a 2-mile-long, 12-foot diameter tunnel, along with two drop shafts, a deep pump station, and other infrastructure upgrades.
Excavation begins for stormwater detention basin project in Flagstaff, Ariz.
The Wedge Detention Basin is designed to manage excess stormwater runoff, preventing it from overwhelming the box culvert being installed along Linda Vista Drive. The basin will collect stormwater and gradually release it back into the city's stormwater management system when safe.
New York state approves $273 million for local water infrastructure improvements
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors has approved $273 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvements across New York.
EPA settlement mandates $30 million sewer upgrades for Cahokia Heights, Ill.
Cahokia Heights, Illinois, has agreed to a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, and the state of Illinois over long-standing sanitary sewer violations. The city will invest an estimated $30 million in upgrades to address improper sewage discharges and improve system reliability.
Meridian, Miss., city council approves $5 million sewer upgrade project
According to The Meridian Star, The Meridian City Council voted Tuesday to approve continuing work on the city’s sewer system. The Highway 80 Trunkline Phase 2B sewer project will replace roughly 5,500 feet of sewer pipe, accordig to the Public Works director.
- 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