Water
Montana's Kalispell water system uncovers PFAS contamination, public notification issued
The Kalispell public water system has discovered per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in two out of its eleven drinking source water well sites. While PFAS is currently not regulated, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued health advisories concerning its potential risks.
Saskatchewan receives $51 million investment for water, wastewater infrastructure upgrades
Communities throughout the Canadian province of Saskatchewan are set to undergo crucial upgrades to their water and wastewater infrastructure thanks to a joint investment exceeding $51 million from the federal and provincial governments.
Arkansas secures $53.1 million for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater upgrades
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $53.1 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Arkansas to implement drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades.
NYC completes water, sewer infrastructure upgrades $1 million under budget
Over 1,300 feet of new storm sewers of up to three feet in diameter were installed to help carry out excess rainwater from the area. Over 3,600 feet of cast iron distribution water mains and a total of 1,032 feet of 10-inch sanitary sewers were upgraded to increase capacity.
Leander, Texas, water treatment plant undergoes shutdown for underwater pipeline repairs
The Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) water treatment plant was shut down Monday morning for necessary repairs to replace approximately 1,400 feet of underwater pipeline. Scheduled intensive construction work on the pipeline is set to commence Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Manchin secures $3 million for Berkeley County, W.Va., water infrastructure upgrades
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has announced $3 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Berkeley County Public Service Water District to expand clean drinking water capacity in southern Berkeley County.
California receives $74 million WIFIA loan to reduce groundwater reliance in Santa Cruz
The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency will modify a naturally occurring lake to create a new seasonal surface water source and upgrade the existing filter plant and construct a pump station, recharge basin, and associated pipeline.
New Jersey American Water invested over $507 million to upgrade water infrastructure state-wide in 2023
Each year, New Jersey American Water invests millions of dollars in its infrastructure, which includes both maintenance and upgrades to its treatment and distribution, or pipeline, systems. This includes investments into treatment plants, tanks, pump stations, miles of pipe, water mains, fire hydrants and metering equipment.
Lake Como, N.J., takes bold steps towards resolving water utility concerns
Despite a less-than-ideal offer from New Jersey American Water, Lake Como invested millions in upgrading its water system to address the immediate crisis. However, this decision led to increased water costs for residents to repay the loans taken out for the project.
Louisiana secures $69.4 million for upgrading drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems
The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Louisiana $69.4 million from his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to implement drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades.
Biden administration allocates $43 million for New Mexico water infrastructure upgrades
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $42.95 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for New Mexico to implement drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades.
Texas wins nearly $359 million to upgrade water infrastructure across the state
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected $1,348,892,000 into water infrastructure projects across the state protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs.
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority replaces over 18,000 lead service lines with federal infrastructure funding
Since PWSA began its effort to remove the risk of lead in drinking water in 2016, it has replaced over 10,800 public and over 7,600 private lead service lines.
North Carolina to invest $238 million in drinking water, wastewater, stormwater projects
North Carolina is set to allocate $238 million towards water infrastructure projects. The funding will support 114 projects aimed at improving drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
Over $770 million allocated for rural infrastructure projects, including water and internet upgrades
A significant portion of the funding, $644.2 million, is dedicated to bolstering rural utilities, enabling 158 projects to provide clean drinking water and wastewater systems for over 900,000 individuals.
USDA awards $30,000 to Carson, N.D., for water, sewer systems study
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced an award of $30,000 to Carson, North Dakota, to complete a study analyzing the city’s existing water and sewer systems.
California American Water bolsters drought-preparedness with underground aquifer replenishment initiative
This initiative captures excess winter flows from the Carmel River, strategically replenishing underground aquifers. ASR is made possible by a well, pump and booster station network along the Carmel River and the award-winning parallel pipeline and booster project California American Water installed along General Jim Moore Boulevard to transport ASR water.
EPA allocates over half a billion dollars for California water infrastructure upgrades
Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach disadvantaged and underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure. This vital funding will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state.
Challenges of repairing rural water lines in urbanizing areas
To make repairs, the BCWA team has primarily relied on trackhoes (backhoe loaders) and mini excavators. However, in some environments, using these common equipment fleet staples of most rural water associations can potentially cause additional damage that will need to be addressed.
Funding still flowing despite economic headwinds, challenges
The last two years in America’s municipal infrastructure industry have seen tremendous increases in project activities driven primarily by significant boosts in government funding. If you happened to be a consulting engineer, contractor or manufacturer/supplier, business has been good. Now, 2024 has the potential to be a great year for many in infrastructure.
Massachusetts Clean Water Trust approves $44.7 million in water infrastructure funding
The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust's Board of Trustees has greenlit $44,768,312 in new low-interest loans and grants during its February 14, 2024, meeting, aimed at bolstering water infrastructure across the state.
Canada's Oak Bay to receive $8.8 million sewer system overhaul
Stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in Oak Bay is set to undergo a significant transformation, thanks to a combined investment exceeding $8.8 million from the federal and provincial governments, alongside contributions from the District of Oak Bay.
Rhode Island seeks input on Woonsocket's clean water infrastructure replacement plan
The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued a public notice seeking feedback on the proposed 2023 update to the Clean Water Infrastructure Replacement Plan for the City of Woonsocket Water Department.
New York to invest $49 million for statewide water infrastructure projects
The Board's approval authorizes municipal access to over $37 million in low-cost short-term financing and previously announced grants to modernize critical drinking water and sewer systems. This infusion of funding will help significantly improve water quality, protect drinking water, and promote economic development in local communities.
EPA begins sewer line inspections, drinking water sampling in Hawai’i following wildfires
These sewer line inspections will allow the County of Maui to prioritize the emergency repairs needed to protect the wastewater treatment plant from excess infiltration of salt water through damaged sewer pipes.
Clarksburg, W.Va., receives $6.88 million for water system upgrades
The $6.88 million has been awarded to the Clarksburg Water Board to replace service lines in the Northview, Rosebud, and Stealey communities, as well as a transmission line off Van Buren Street. It will also repair and remediate a water main break on West Pike Street in downtown Clarksburg.
Federal audit finds ‘a lot of work remains’ in Puerto Rico’s hurricane and earthquake recovery
For example, officials from Puerto Rico’s Aqueduct and Sewer Authority said they anticipate that they will only be able to complete about half of the agency’s planned projects.
South Dakota scrambles to spend $700 million on water infrastructure upgrades by end of 2024
$600 million has been allocated to over 200 water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, but that less than 33% has been spent. Lawmakers are proposing that the unallocated and unspent money go towards project that have already gone through the approval process.
Maine governor fast-tracks $50 million infrastructure resilience plan
Governor Janet Mills plans to invest $50 million in the Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund to help Maine communities rebuild in the wake of the recent devastating storms and ensure their infrastructure can withstand the impacts of extreme storms in the future.
Canton, Ohio, receives $46 million investment for safe drinking water upgrades
Through this investment, the Canton Water Department will ensure high-quality drinking water while creating dozens of good-paying, public-sector jobs operating and maintaining the system for decades to come.
- OSHA issues 16 citations following fatal sewer confined space incident
- 27 pipeline safety violations tied to deadly Pa. chocolate factory explosion
- Contractor gas line strike triggers home explosion in Missouri
- LA recovery reports call for $650 million power line burial, major utility upgrades in Pacific Palisades
- Comprehensive microtrenching FAQ: Key insights on the Vermeer MTR516 microtrencher
- T-Mobile to expand fiber broadband infrastructure footprint with $4.9 billion Metronet acquisition
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility
- Cityside launches $100 million fiber build in Corona, Calif.
- FiberLight to build 1,400-mile West Texas dark fiber network in $350 million expansion