Water
Contractors brace for 2026, water and sewer work holds steady
Construction contractors are entering 2026 with dampened expectations as economic uncertainty grows, though water, sewer and utility projects remain among the stronger market segments, according to a new AGC and Sage industry outlook.
Idaho water systems land $13 million for pipe replacement, storage tanks and mains
Idaho communities will advance pipe replacement, transmission main upgrades and new water storage tanks after $13 million in federal funding was approved for American Falls, Bellevue, Fort Hall and Rigby.
U.S. Army Corps finalizes 2026 nationwide permits affecting stream, wetland construction
The nationwide permits authorize activities regulated under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, providing a streamlined approval process for projects with no more than minimal environmental impacts.
Garney expands into Pacific Northwest with acquisition of Emery & Sons
Garney has acquired Oregon-based Emery & Sons Construction Group, establishing a permanent Pacific Northwest presence and expanding its national water, wastewater and underground utility platform. The deal adds nearly six decades of regional experience in heavy civil and municipal infrastructure as Garney continues scaling its $2 billion construction portfolio.
Austin Water secures $55 million for pipe replacement, reclaimed water expansion
Austin Water has secured $55 million in low-interest state funding to replace aging pipes, reduce water loss, and expand reclaimed water infrastructure across Austin.
USDA invests $40 million in new underground water system for rural Wisconsin
USDA Rural Development is investing nearly $40 million to fund a new municipal water utility system in the Town of Campbell, including wells, treatment facilities, storage and more than 123,000 linear feet of underground water distribution piping.
Appeals court blocks California’s bond plan for Delta water tunnel
A California appeals court ruled the state lacks authority to issue bonds for the Delta Conveyance Project, forcing officials to reconsider how the water tunnel will be financed.
Trenchless HDPE upgrades New Orleans water transmission mains
New Orleans is replacing aging cast iron water transmission mains with trenchless HDPE pipe, cutting leaks, stabilizing pressure, and reducing construction disruption through a FEMA-funded program.
NYC plans $68 million Prospect Park Bluebelt to curb flash flooding
New York City plans a $68 million stormwater project in Prospect Park to reduce flash flooding using Brooklyn’s first Bluebelt, with construction expected to begin in 2029.
Lynchburg, Va., starts 20-month utility rebuild in College Hill
Lynchburg, Va., will begin a 20-month utility reconstruction project in the College Hill neighborhood, replacing century-old water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure starting in January 2026.
Why sewer and water markets enter 2026 cautiously optimistic
As federal infrastructure funding winds down, sewer and water markets enter 2026 with cautious optimism, driven by years of underinvestment, ongoing EPA programs, and record local spending.
AECOM named preferred bidder for Scottish Water’s multi-billion-dollar Enterprise Alliance
AECOM has been named a preferred bidder and primary designer for Scottish Water’s multi-billion-dollar Enterprise Alliance, a long-term program to modernize water and wastewater infrastructure across Scotland.
$86 million Miami Beach project to rebuild drainage, sewer north of 14th Street
Miami Beach is moving forward with an $86 million design-build project to replace drainage, water and sewer infrastructure in the West Avenue neighborhood, including a new 120,000-gpm pump station and major underground utility upgrades north of 14th Street.
New York awards $453 million for water, sewer upgrades statewide
New York State awarded $453 million to water and sewer infrastructure projects statewide, funding upgrades to aging systems, wastewater treatment plants and drinking water facilities while easing ratepayer costs.
Congress clears path to finish Colorado’s Arkansas Valley Conduit water pipeline
Congress has approved legislation easing financing for the Arkansas Valley Conduit, clearing the way to complete a long-delayed water pipeline serving 39 communities across southeastern Colorado.
Houston split over $30 million stormwater fund proposal for demolitions
Houston officials are debating whether stormwater mitigation funds can legally be used to demolish blighted buildings, drawing pushback over flood-control priorities.
Mississippi DOT pushes underground drainage, fiber conduit work statewide
Mississippi DOT is advancing underground infrastructure work across central Mississippi, including drainage improvements, buried fiber conduit installation and electrical system upgrades tied to highway corridors.
NY advances $269 million in affordable water infrastructure projects
New York has approved $269 million in grants and low-cost financing to help communities upgrade aging water and sewer systems, replace lead service lines, and strengthen resiliency statewide — all while minimizing ratepayer impact. The funding supports dozens of projects across every region and builds on the state’s multibillion-dollar commitment to modernizing critical underground infrastructure.
Georgia commits over $100 million to modernize aging water and sewer infrastructure
DeKalb County, Georgia is moving forward on long-delayed water and sewer upgrades, approving more than $100 million in engineering and trenchless rehabilitation contracts. The investments aim to modernize an aging system, curb overflows, and prepare for future rate-hike discussions.
Massive water line failure leaves majority of Waterbury without service
A catastrophic break in Waterbury’s aging water system left about 60% of the city without water, shutting down restaurants, canceling school, and prompting a full-scale emergency response. With one high-pressure main ruptured and the backup line offline for repairs, crews are racing to stabilize the severely impacted system.
House passes PERMIT Act to streamline clean water rules for energy, pipeline projects
The U.S. House has passed the PERMIT Act, a bill aimed at streamlining Clean Water Act reviews and cutting project delays for pipelines, energy infrastructure, and utilities. Lawmakers say the reforms will reduce red tape and lower construction costs while maintaining environmental protections.
Texas awards $70 million to rebuild Irving’s aging drainage channel, cut flood risk
Irving, Texas, secured $70 million in state funding to overhaul its largest and oldest drainage channel, a multi-phase flood control project expected to protect more than 240 homes and modernize key water and sewer infrastructure by 2030.
Judge clears distribution of $626 million Flint water crisis settlement funds
A federal judge has approved the distribution of the $626-million Flint water crisis settlement, clearing the way for payments to more than 26,000 claimants more than a decade after the crisis began. While the ruling marks a major milestone, some residents remain cautious as the first payouts get underway.
New pipelines to end West Odessa’s long wait for running water
Texas lawmakers approved $17 million to build new pipelines and bring running water to residents in West Odessa, marking the first major step toward solving long-standing infrastructure gaps in the unincorporated area.
Columbia, S.C., advances $350 million sewer and water overhaul; new downtown upgrades set to begin
Columbia, South Carolina, is investing $350 million to replace aging sewer and water infrastructure, including a $16 million downtown sewer upgrade and a $65 million overflow control facility.
Zoning showdown: SCWA claims immunity as North Fork pipeline review advances
The Suffolk County Water Authority has ruled its 12-mile North Fork water main project exempt from Riverhead’s zoning and land-use review—setting up a major jurisdictional clash as the pipeline enters a full environmental impact study. Riverhead disputes the finding and is weighing legal action.
Strategic investment positions United Flow Technologies for expanded role in water infrastructure market
United Flow Technologies has received a strategic growth investment from Berkshire Partners, strengthening its nationwide water and wastewater infrastructure platform. The partnership will support expanded services, deeper technical capabilities, and continued investment in mission-critical municipal systems.
Eagle Merchant Partners invests in Atlantic Pipe Services to expand water infrastructure rehabilitation
Eagle Merchant Partners has made a strategic investment in Atlantic Pipe Services, one of Florida’s largest stormwater and wastewater inspection and rehabilitation providers. The partnership will support APS’ expansion, equipment investments and acquisitions as demand for water infrastructure maintenance grows statewide.
Waterline breaks force overnight closure at Grand Canyon; $208 million replacement project underway
Grand Canyon National Park has suspended overnight stays after multiple breaks in its Transcanyon Waterline cut off water to the South Rim. A $208 million replacement project is underway to restore and modernize the aging system.
California invests $590 million to boost water reliability, upgrade sewer systems statewide
California invested $590 million in new water infrastructure projects, adding 2.9 billion gallons of clean water annually and upgrading wastewater, desalination, and sewer systems across the state to boost long-term reliability.
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized
- Alaska LNG pipeline could require 7,000 workers at peak construction, developers say
- Ohio trench collapse kills one worker, injures two during pipe installation
- Elon Musk's Boring Co. fined for dumping drilling waste into Vegas sewer system
- $1.4 billion Midwest pipeline expansion to move more Canadian oil to U.S. Gulf
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized
- Massive water line failure leaves majority of Waterbury without service
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines