Water
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.
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.
- Three Houston workers killed by hydrogen sulfide leak during sewer repair
- Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
- TxDOT advances massive drainage tunnel beneath I-35 in Austin
- Is the Boring Company tunneling blind in Nashville? Experts warn rock tests fall short
- MTA awards $1.97 billion tunnel-boring contract for subway expansion