Water
Idaho governor approves $325 million investment in water infrastructure for agriculture
(UI) – Governor Brad Little has signed a plan into law in the Magic Valley, adding record investments in water infrastructure to aid in the economic vitality of agriculture and rural Idaho.
Vegas water agency empowered to limit home water flows in future
Nevada has taken a dramatic, but not immediate, step toward limiting the amount of Colorado River water used in the most populous part of the nation’s most arid state, after lawmakers gave Las Vegas-area water managers the levers to limit flows to single-family homes.
GPR: From glaciers to conduits, digs deeper so you don’t have to
(UI) — The ability to accurately map underground or encased infrastructure allows construction and excavation professionals to plan groundbreaking and other destructive activities more efficiently. By knowing where not to dig, cut or core, these professionals eliminate the risks associated with striking buried utilities or severing structural components, such as rebar or post-tension cables.
B&B Underground and Drilling tackles reclaimed water project
(UI) — While many HDD companies perform strictly small-diameter fiber work, those focused on larger water and sewer utility work are specialty companies. Building a team for the task can be more challenging, too. That’s why B&B Underground and Drilling emphasizes the importance of training.
Water utilities embracing digital technology to optimize operations, study shows
Utilities that participated in the paper implemented digital technology to save billions of gallons of water, prevent millions of gallons of sewer overflow pollution, and save millions of dollars in energy costs.
Biden administration invests $115 million into Jackson water system repairs
The Environmental Protection Agency said that the first round of funding will go towards priority areas to improve drinking water quality while the entire system is upgraded.
San Luis Obispo city officials unanimously approve water and sewer rate increases
(UI) — The city of San Luis Obispo, located in California, unanimously voted to proceed with a proposed plan, resulting in a two-year increase in water service rates for users, with a favorable vote of 5-0.
Mississippi losing $50 million a year by only collecting 56% of fees from Jackson water system
Repeated breakdowns in Jackson have caused many in the city of about 150,000 residents to go days and weeks at a time without safe running water.
Republican lawmakers propose plan to combat PFAS pollution in Wisconsin
Republican legislators have proposed a sweeping new plan to address PFAS pollution that would create grants for local governments, limit regulators’ ability to delay projects on polluted property and mandate studies on how to treat contaminated water.
Water bills for St. Louis residents could rise by 20% due to Board of Aldermen proposal
There is a chance that water costs for St. Louis households might increase significantly. Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer of the 1st Ward submitted a measure on Friday that would raise water costs by around 20%.
Utah plans to invest $14 million in water infrastructure in Cedar City
(UI) — Officials in Cedar City intend to invest over $14 million in water infrastructure as part of their long-term water strategy. However, the proposed budget for this year is still subject to modification.
Companies reach $1.18 billion deal to resolve PFAS pollution complaints
DuPont de Nemours Inc., The Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc. said they would establish a fund to compensate water providers for contamination with the chemicals used widely in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products, as well as some firefighting foams.
BAMI-I unveils plans for first-ever Global Buried Asset Management Congress
This congress aims to advance the science and practice of asset management in the underground infrastructure industry, with a main focus on the water and wastewater sector and other utilities that have buried assets.
Springfield's aging sewer system in Doling Park-Pea Ridge Creek set for major replacement work
(UI) — In order to accommodate anticipated expansion and development in the region, the major objectives of the work are to decrease the frequency of sewer overflows that result in pollution and enhance the size and capacity of underground sewer pipes to the 1,200 miles of pipe and over 28,000 manholes across the city.
Minnesota governor signs $2.6 billion infrastructure plan, includes vital water upgrades
Gov. Tim Walz signed a $2.6 billion public infrastructure package Thursday, the largest in state history and the biggest bipartisan success of an often partisan legislative session. The two bills together use $1.5 billion in borrowing and $1.1 billion in cash to fund a long list of projects statewide including drinking water and wastewater treatment plant upgrades.
Drought, water overuse prompt Arizona to limit construction in some fast-growing parts of Phoenix
Arizona will not approve new housing construction on the fast-growing edges of metro Phoenix that rely on groundwater thanks to years of overuse and a multi-decade drought that is sapping its water supply.
Rehab News
(UI) — The regional manager changes at Avanti and Aegion acquires trenchless water rehabilitation provider Infraspec Services.
Bellevue, Id., receives over $3 million in funding to upgrade water system
In a statement, DEQ asserted that “the combination of Idaho’s rapid population growth, aging water and wastewater infrastructure, and unprecedented cost escalation is requiring communities to make immediate and substantiated investments in water and wastewater infrastructure.”
Tetra Tech awarded $64 million water asset management contract
Under this eight-year contract, Tetra Tech will inspect, analyze and report on the condition of more than 2,500 assets annually, with a focus on the development of digital solutions to optimize the collection and analysis of data.
New Jersey American Water to modernize Egg Harbor City water, sewer systems with $22 million acquisition
Under the agreement, New Jersey American Water will invest $14 million in the first 10 years to make needed upgrades to the city’s water and wastewater systems, including $9 million in the first five years, while keeping rates stable for customers.
McCarthy tackles underground obstacles to deliver innovative structures for Houston hospital
(UI) — McCarthy took on a significant logistical task as part of the project to extend a water main 2,500 feet across the property while managing existing underground utilities. McCarthy employed a completely BIM-coordinated MEP system on the technical front and used McCarthy Mapping to locate underground utilities.
California water officials to replace 500 feet of sewer pipe in San Juan Capistrano
(UI) — From June 5 to 18, the Santa Margarita Water District will repair 500 feet of sewer pipes on Los Rios Street as part of San Juan Capistrano's sewer upgrade plans.
Colorado fracing companies doubled freshwater use over last decade, analysis shows
The analysis revealed that operators in Colorado produced enough wastewater to run fracing projects without having to use state water supplies.
Jackson, Miss., implements water and sewer rate hike to fund replacement of 10,000 lead service lines
The Jackson City Council agreed during its meeting on May 23 to hike water and sewer rates by 8% and 6%, respectively, starting on July 1.
Supreme Court limits federal power over wetlands, boosts property rights over clean water
The Supreme Court on Thursday made it harder for the federal government to police water pollution in a decision that strips protections from wetlands that are isolated from larger bodies of water.
Frequent water main breaks in Minnesota suburbs spotlights aging infrastructure problems
In St. Louis Park, officials are seeking money from the Biden administration’s 2021 infrastructure bill to repair parts of the city’s 160 miles of water mains. In addition, the city invested $400,000 into an inspection machine to locate weaknesses in water infrastructure.
Hitachi Vantara to supply Arizona Department of Water Resources with asset management solution
The solution is part of the State of Arizona’s efforts to bolster sustainability and resource management and secure the future of water for the Grand Canyon State’s 7 million residents amid the broader water supply challenges facing the Southwest.
Broad Channel infrastructure project receives “Envision Verified Award”
(UI) — The Broad Channel infrastructure project is raising streets and implementing new storm sewers to reduce flooding in an area that Jamaica Bay frequently inundates during high tides and storms.
Charges dismissed against ex-public works official in Flint, Mich., water scandal
A judge dismissed charges Monday against a former local official in Flint, the last of nine people to benefit from a state Supreme Court decision that struck down a series of indictments in the city’s lead-in-water scandal.
New Mexico receives $12.6 million investment for desalination research facility
(UI) — While in Southern New Mexico today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Congressman Gabe Vasquez announced a $12.6 million investment from the President’s Investing in America agenda to support the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
- 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