Water
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.
Fla. Senator’s bill aims to mitigate flooding by requiring storm drain inspections
According to ABC Action News, Florida state senator Danny Burgess has proposed a bill that would require stormwater drain inspections ahead of storm season in an effort to mitigate flooding.
$265 million in funding approved for North Carolina water infrastructure projects
Communities across North Carolina will receive more than $265 million in funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects, Governor Josh Stein has announced. The loans and grants will help to pay for 99 projects in 45 different counties.
$4.5 million water main replacement project to begin in Yorkville, Ill.
According to Shaw Local News, the city of Yorkville, Ill. is gearing up to around 9,000 ft. of water main lines, including one section nearly a century old. The current cost for the 2025 Water Main Replacement construction project is estimated at around $4.5 million, the majority of which will likely be covered by an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency loan.
Work progresses on $66 million upgrade to San Diego’s first aqueduct
The San Diego County Water Authority has reached the halfway point on a $66 million project to extend the life of the historic First Aqueduct and maintain reliable water delivery across the region.
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.
Brewer Water Department tackles lead service line inventory with vac excavation
The Brewer Water Department in Maine has adopted an innovative approach to meet the demands of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR). These revisions, finalized in December 2020, require water systems to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials later in 2025.
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.
Construction worker killed in trench collapse near Prosperity, S.C.
A construction worker was killed when a trench collapsed while he was installing a water line, according to Newberry County authorities.
Newsom announces key permit for Delta Conveyance Project, boosting water infrastructure
The Delta Conveyance Project, aimed at upgrading the State Water Project, has received an essential Incidental Take Permit, a necessary approval to move forward with the initiative.
SAERTEX multiCom achieves two sustainability rehabilitation milestones
Sustainability is an integral part of the corporate culture at SAERTEX multiCom and embedded in its DNA. Trenchless pipe rehabilitation using SAERTEX-LINERS makes a valuable contribution to protecting the precious resource of drinking water.
Portland's $2 billion Bull Run Filtration Project halts construction after permit denial
According to The Oregonian/Oregon Live, Portland city officials have paused construction on its $2 billion Bull Run project after failing to secure a crucial land-use permit required for construction to move forward. The project, first approved in 2017, includes plans for a new filtration plant and associated water pipelines to comply with EPA regulations.
Bipartisan legislation reintroduced to protect utilities, ratepayers from PFAS costs
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has expressed strong support for the reintroduction of the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to protect water utilities from undue financial burdens associated with PFAS cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
WES tunnel boring machine retrieved from Oregon river after seven-month project
The Clack-A-Mole Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) was retrieved from the Willamette River in Oregon City, Ore., at the end of January after being submerged for more than seven months. During that time, the 250,000-pound machine drilled a half-milelong, nine-foot-diameter tunnel to construct a new outfall pipeline to transport treated water.
Palm Coast, Fla. considers water rate hike to cover system upgrades through 2029
According to The Observer, the city of Palm Coast, Fla., will have to take steep measures in order to cover the $701 million in upgrades and maintenance city staff say is needed for its water and wastewater treatment facilities. A recent City Council workshop suggested water rate increases for residents may be the solution.
Garney, Ferguson join sewer and water funding firm as strategic investors
PERENfra has announced the launch of Perennial Infrastructure Fund I™, a private investment fund focused on core water infrastructure assets. The Fund has brought in two strategic investors: Garney Equity Holdings and Ferguson Ventures.
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.
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.
Wisconsin to invest $145 million in PFAS cleanup for municipal water systems
Gov. Tony Evers has announced a $145 million initiative as part of his 2025-27 Executive Budget to combat PFAS contamination, protect families from harmful water pollutants, and improve access to clean drinking water across Wisconsin.
Jacobs to design PFAS removal upgrades for Boynton Beach, Fla., water treatment plants
The two plants, with a combined treatment capacity of 30 million gallons per day, provide drinking water to more than 112,000 residents. In addition to PFAS removal, the project will replace aging infrastructure and address the city’s increasing water demands.
Consor acquires Murfee Engineering, strengthening water infrastructure capabilities
Consor Engineering has acquired Murfee Engineering Company (MEC), a Texas-based civil engineering firm specializing in water and wastewater. Consor has nearly five decades of experience delivering solutions to complex projects for government agencies, private clients and special utility and conservation districts in Texas.
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.
California American Water completes $4.5 million Los Angeles water system upgrades
California American Water recently completed a $4.5 million water main replacement project in its Bellflower system, replacing 8,510 linear feet of aging 4 and 6-inch asbestos cement water main with new 8-inch ductile iron pipes and installing new service pipes for 170 customers.
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.
League City, Texas, allocates $184 million for water system upgrades
League City is investing $184.42 million in water system improvements and $123.68 million in wastewater upgrades as part of its FY2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Governor Abbott pushes major water infrastructure investment for Texas
Governor Greg Abbott is prioritizing water infrastructure investment as an emergency item, aiming to secure the state's water supply for future growth.
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.
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.
- Trench collapse kills one construction worker in Houston, Texas
- 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
- Construction worker killed in trench collapse near Prosperity, S.C.
- Final construction phase kicks off for Indianapolis deep rock tunnel
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- Trench collapse kills one construction worker in Houston, Texas
- WES tunnel boring machine retrieved from Oregon river after seven-month project
- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes