Water
PPI's Municipal Advisory Board celebrates 15 years of HDPE water piping systems expertise
MAB serves as an independent, non-commercial adviser to the Municipal & Industrial Division of the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc., and is made up of industry experts who volunteer their time and expertise to improve the design, installation, and operation of municipal high-density polyethylene water piping systems.
Tennessee announces $232 million in additional funding for water infrastructure
(UI) — The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced 102 grants totaling $232,709,981 of which TDEC is administering in the form of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure grants.
Orlando’s Richard Howard brought global view, acclaim to innovative public works program
During Richard Howard's tenure, Orlando’s Public Works department was increasingly known for its innovative, sometimes experimental and largely successful approaches to wastewater and stormwater management.
City installs new storm sewers and water mains in Dongan Hills, Staten Island
(UI) — The $4.17 million capital project replaced water mains and sewers and rebuilt streets and sidewalks spanning over nine blocks in Dongan Hills, Staten Island, near Ocean Breeze Park.
City of Toledo to spend $175 million on “critical fix” for water intake pipeline
Sylvania Mayor Craig Stough said that his office was told “by an engineering firm taking a look at the low-pressure water line coming from the low-pressure water treatment plant to the water treatment plant itself that it had a zero life expectancy left in it."
California invests $5 million to support three new desalination projects
According to Governor Gavin Newsom, the investment will help the state tackle extreme weather and “reshape” water systems to better serve California communities.
New Orleans to store 56,000 gallons of stormwater in new park
The park will hold approximately 56,000 gallons of stormwater, easing pressure on New Orleans’ decaying drains and pump system. Dubbed the Bayou St. John Green Infrastructure project, the new park’s stormwater capacity is equivalent to 1,100 household bathtubs.
Water associations unveil plan for federal low-income water assistance program
As part of their recommendations, the groups also released a detailed analysis, “Low-Income Water Customer Assistance Program Assessment Study,” which establishes that water affordability is a significant challenge for 20 million U.S. households and puts the annual need for federal funding to address this challenge as high as $7.9 billion.
Wavin invests in Aquacycl high strength wastewater treatment technology
(UI) — Orbia's building and infrastructure business Wavin, a water technology leader, has awarded $50,000 in non-dilutive capital to Aquacycl, an energy-neutral wastewater treatment technology company.
California to meet 100% of water requests for the first time since 2006
California will provide 100% of the water requested by cities and farms for the first time in years thanks to winter storms that filled reservoirs and runoff from a record snowpack, regulators announced Thursday.
Tech Tips: Locating underground assets
(UI) — As municipalities and other agencies embrace the concept of asset management for their underground infrastructure, locating and identifying those assets become more important. In the past, the options for locating and identifying underground assets were a challenge.
Middlesex Water Company invests $11.1 million in New Jersey water infrastructure upgrades
Under this annual initiative known as RENEW, Middlesex intends to replace 26,000 linear feet of water main. Concurrently, Middlesex will be implementing its “Knocking Out Lead” program to remove any lead or galvanized steel service lines it encounters.
Cal Water receives $4.3 million grant to connect communities to Salinas system
Grant funding will go toward engineering, design, environmental mitigation, construction, and other related costs to install about 7,300 feet of water main and extend water service to the communities.
Mississippi governor signs water billing law based on consumption
The Republican governor signed House Bill 698 months after Ted Henifin, who was appointed in November by a federal court to help improve Jackson’s water infrastructure, released a proposal calling for billing water based on property values rather than personal use.
Recycled water pipeline completed in Encinitas, Calif.
(UI) — The Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) has announced the completion of a new recycled water pipeline in North County. The completion of the 1.4-mile recycled water pipeline will enable OMWD to deliver recycled water to schools, businesses, and other customers along the Manchester Avenue corridor.
California neighborhood faces groundwater flooding
A group of groundwater basins called Six Basins lies below the mountains along with San Antonio Dam, which captures runoff from the range. The city said in a letter sent to residents that “abnormal groundwater seepage” was occurring.
83 projects awarded $585 million to improve aging water infrastructure, advance drought resilience
(UI) — The Biden-Harris administration has awarded nearly $585 million in funding to 83 projects across 11 states to increase drought resilience and improve water delivery systems.
US judge temporarily blocks Biden’s clean water rule in 24 states
A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a federal rule in 24 states that is intended to protect thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways throughout the nation.
Stantec tapped to support Jackson, Miss., water improvements
(UI) — Stantec has been selected by JXN Water LLC to lead the analysis and design of improvements to the water distribution system serving the residents of Jackson, Mississippi.
Alexandria City Council to propose raising stormwater utility fee by 5%
The city will use the money to improve operations and maintenance of public stormwater infrastructure, stormwater quality incentives, and flood management programs.
Biden administration outlines two plans to conserve Colorado River water in Western states
One option would be more beneficial to California and some tribes along the river that have high-priority rights to the river’s water. The second option is likely to be more favorable to Nevada and Arizona, who share the river’s Lower Basin with California and say it’s time for an approach that more fairly spreads the pain of cuts.
Governor Hochul to invest over $70 million in critical water infrastructure projects across New York
(UI) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced over $70 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State on April 5. The Suffolk County Water Authority will receive $16.2 million in funding for 11 drinking water projects.
Iowa’s water infrastructure rated “mediocre” by engineering group
(UI) — The Iowa section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released the 2023 Report Card for Iowa’s Infrastructure on Tuesday, with the state’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure receiving a grade of “C” and “C-.” Its energy and stormwater infrastructure received a grade of “C+” and “D+.” According to the report, a C is considered “mediocre,” while a D is “poor.”
Native American tribe, US government strike deal to save Colorado River water
The $233 million pact with the Gila River Indian Community, announced in Phoenix, was hailed as an example of the kind of cooperation needed to rescue a river crucial to a massive agricultural industry and essential to more than 40 million people in seven Western U.S. states and Mexico.
EPA releases 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment
(UI) — The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that the EPA conduct a survey and assessment every four years to examine the needs for infrastructure improvements and maintenance at public water systems. The 7th DWINSA estimates that $625 billion will be needed for infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years — a 32% increase from the $472.6 billion projected in 2022.
Biden vetoes bill that sought to toss EPA water protections
Defending his administration's actions on clean water, President Joe Biden on Thursday vetoed a congressional resolution that would have overturned protections for the nation's waterways that Republicans have criticized as overly intrusive.
Cadiz completes groundwater well expansion, secures water restoration contract
With the new wells online, the Cadiz Ranch wellfield will have sufficient capacity to deliver the full volume of the company’s Northern Pipeline, or 25,000 AFY, and also continue to support current agricultural operations at the Cadiz Ranch.
EPA: 9.2 million homes in U.S. have lead pipes, issues funding to upgrade water infrastructure
The agency’s drinking water infrastructure survey will be used to steer billions of dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to water infrastructure upgrades like finding and removing lead pipes in states that need it most.
Puerto Rico, USVI to receive $108 million to upgrade water systems
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive a total of nearly $108 million to improve drinking water infrastructure across the U.S. territories.
Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska granted $248 million to upgrade drinking water infrastructure
(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska will receive a total of roughly $248 million for essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades. Missouri is slated to get $106.4 million, Iowa roughly $79.8 million and Nebraska is expected to receive $46 million.
- 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