Water
Firefighting foam contaminates public water system for about 9,000 in Maine
Firefighting foam used in battling a fatal fire in an apartment building entered the public water system, prompting the water district to order thousands of residents not to drink the water.
California governor pledges to fast-track “hundreds of billions of dollars” for water projects
For the past decade, California officials have pursued water projects in the drought-prone state. One would construct a giant underground tunnel to carry large amounts of water beneath the natural channels of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to drier and more populous Southern California.
Wisconsin to invest $125 million to combat PFAS groundwater pollution, delays spending plan decision
The committee approved the spending with all Republicans in support and Democrats opposed. The committee is working to crate the two-year spending plan, which must next be approved by the Senate and Assembly and then signed by Evers.
U.S. representative calls for modernization of Clean Water Act
On Tuesday, May 16, U.S. Rep. David Rouzer asserted that officials shouldn’t “ignore innovation and other major changes that have occurred since Congress passed the Clean Water Act” in 1972.
Stronghold Engineering wins $208 million Grand Canyon waterline rehabilitation contract
The National Park Service is preparing for a multi-year $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL) and related upgrades to the associated water delivery system within the inner canyon and South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Governor Hochul approves $51 million for clean water, drinking infrastructure projects in New York
(UI) — Governor Kathy Hochul has approved $51 million in financing to advance important water and sewer infrastructure projects. The funds will help with system modernization, the removal of new pollutants from drinking water, and the replacement of lead service connections.
Highland Park, Mich., struggles under $20 million water debt, threatening its future
The community near Detroit is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy because it cannot pay its bills to the utility providing drinking water to the city. The debt owed to the Great Lakes Water Authority stretches back to at least the 1990s when the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department ran the water system.
Federal, state attorneys request litigation delay for Mississippi water violations
In a Wednesday court filing, government attorneys asked for a six-month stay, which would be the second such order. It’s part of a broader federal push to fix Jackson’s water system, which nearly collapsed last summer and continues to have problems with broken pipes and leaks.
Minnesota invests $240 million to replace lead pipes across the state
The money will fund a surveillance program to help identify structures that could be connected to service lines containing lead, while the state’s Public Facilities Authority will provide grants to cover replacement costs.
Texas House approves bill to set aside billions to upgrade state’s aging water system
A bill that was approved by the Texas House on Wednesday by a vote of 136-8 would establish a new fund to kickstart significant water supply projects and repair deteriorating water infrastructure around the state, The Texas Tribune reported.
Middlesex Water president, CEO Dennis Doll announces retirement
(UI) — Dennis W. Doll, Middlesex Water Co.’s president and CEO, has announced a plan to retire at age 65. Doll’s retirement is planned for December 31, 2023, or when a successor is duly named and on board.
Wisconsin environmental regulators settle wastewater lawsuit with large dairy farm
One of Wisconsin’s largest dairy operations has settled with state environmental regulators, which calls for the company to eventually stop spreading liquid manure in exchange for avoiding groundwater monitoring requirements.
Berkeley County Public Service Water District utilizes cloud-based asset management software
The District will be able to extend the life of its assets with a preventative maintenance schedule that includes recurring maintenance tasks, asset performance, and a plan for replacements and repairs.
Ice pigging offers low-risk, high-performance option for water system cleaning
(UI) — Park City, Utah, site of the 2002 Winter Olympics, is a 7,000-foot-high scenic wonder known for its sweeping mountain vistas, luxury homes and ski resorts, but its origins are literally more down to earth.
Spain to invest $2.4 billion in drought measures, including wastewater infrastructure and desalination plants
Ribera said $1.5 billion would go toward building the infrastructure to double the use of treated wastewater in urban areas and constructing new desalination plants to increase the national supply of drinking water.
Pittsburgh water rates could increase nearly 60% over next 3 years
(UI) — In order to continue funding its plans for infrastructure upgrades, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has submitted a request to state regulators for a rate increase of over 60% over the upcoming three years.
Mississippi “intentionally” impeded funds for Jackson’s water system, advocacy group claims
The Southern Poverty Law Center asked the U.S. Treasury Department to investigate Mississippi’s rules for distributing $450 million to water systems operated by cities, counties and rural water associations.
Louisville Water advances digital transformation with KloudGin asset management platform
As part of Louisville Water’s digital transformation initiative, KloudGin’s platform helped Louisville Water automate cross-control processes from legacy systems to a cloud-native, mobile application.
NERP partners with Ohio Stormwater Association for industry certifications
Through this partnership, OSWA members will have access to certain NREP certifications at a reduced rate, including the Certified Environmental Stormwater Compliance Professional (CESCP) certification.
Brown and Caldwell, AECOM chosen for landmark Pure Water Southern California program
(UI) — A joint venture of AECOM and Brown and Caldwell (AECOM-BC Team) has been chosen to provide program and project management support and engineering design services for the Pure Water Southern California program, one of the largest water reuse programs in the world.
Michigan receives low grades for drinking water, stormwater, wastewater infrastructure
The state faces potential problems with drinking water systems that are more than 50 years old and some approaching 100 years old, yet less than 1% of pipes are being replaced annually.
Texas water infrastructure failing under growing population
Texas has lost over 30 billion gallons of water because of previously fixed breaks in water lines, according to a report from 2021 from the Texas Water Development Board. Other faults in the state’s water infrastructure account for another 100 billion gallons lost, costing the state over $266 million.
Texas sets deadline for water utilities to apply for $213 million lead pipe location, replacement funding
As part of the state’s goal to eliminate 100% of buried lead water service pipes, a total of $213,455,000 is currently available for projects under the State Fiscal Year 2023 Lead Service Line Replacement Intended Use Plan.
Aegion announces acquisition of trenchless water rehabilitation provider Infraspec Services
(UI) — Aegion Corp., an infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation and technology-enabled water solutions provider, has announced the acquisition of Infraspec Services Inc., a corporation that specializes in trenchless water rehabilitation services in Quebec, Canada. Infraspec plans to operate under its current company name in the near term.
California officials begin construction to restore water infrastructure damaged by fire
(UI) — As a first step in repairing its Peavine Raw Water Pipeline, which was destroyed by the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire almost three years ago, the district has hired a contractor to start evaluating, cataloging, and eventually removing problematic trees.
Judge OKs money for billing system upgrade for Jackson water
A judge Tuesday approved a request to set aside federal money for new billing software and other services for the troubled water system in Mississippi’s capital city.
60-Year wait ends as Arkansas Valley clean water pipeline project begins construction
(UI) — Although hundreds of millions of dollars in funding are still required, a project promised by former president John F. Kennedy to provide clean water to communities in the Lower Arkansas Valley is now officially under way.
Jackson needs federal funds to cover infrastructure repairs, appointee says
The manager appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice to oversee reforms to the beleaguered water system in Mississippi’s capital city says he won’t have enough money to cover expenses until more federal funds arrive.
Georgia town lifts water advisory after broken pump left thousands without water
Milledgeville announced Saturday that a boil-water advisory is no longer in effect after lab tests showed that the city’s water supply is safe for human consumption. The city of 17,000 earlier restored water pressure, but had to test the water before lifting the order to boil.
University of Houston hosts industrial water forum focusing on energy efficiency, decarbonization
The May 4 hybrid event – offered virtually and in-person – will offer participants tools, strategies and examples for attaining energy efficiency and decarbonization in both existing manufacturing plants and new facilities.
- 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