Water
Scottsdale weighs sharing water again with nearby community
Scottsdale will consider a joint plan with Maricopa County that would supply water again to a community that had its access cut off. The Scottsdale City Council is scheduled to meet Feb. 21 about a potential new agreement to re-open a supply of water for nearby unincorporated Rio Verde Foothills.
Washington State boil water advisory reveals problems with existing infrastructure
Snohomish County in Washington experienced a small water main break in late January 2023. While the city was able to repair the rupture, a second break followed the next day, prompting a boil water advisory that is still in effect. The boil water advisory has revealed multiple problems with the city’s infrastructure.
California Water Service to increase rates by 4% to improve infrastructure
California Water Service (Cal Water), a subsidiary of California Water Service Group, has received a ruling in its General Rate Case (GRC) that approves modified interim rates effective beginning April 15, 2023.
Vermont’s wastewater infrastructure deemed “poor” by engineering group
(UI) — The Vermont section of the American Society of Civil Engineers released the 2023 Report Card for Vermont’s Infrastructure on Feb. 16, in which the state’s wastewater infrastructure received a grade of “D+.” Likewise, Vermont's drinking water and stormwater infrastructure received “C” scores. According to the report, a C is considered “mediocre,” while a D is “poor.”
West Virginia drinking water still clear of derailment toxin
West Virginia officials have reiterated that the state's drinking water remains safe following an Ohio train derailment that led to a toxic plume of chemicals being released. Chemicals that leaked from the derailment are being monitored as they move down the Ohio River, but they are not affecting the supply of drinking water, officials said during a briefing Thursday.
Texas partners with water utility solutions provider to transform water management
The City of Sugar Land will place Olea’s Meter Health Analytics (MHA) solution on 25 large commercial meters in its systems, looking for signs of water loss, inaccurate readings and malfunctioning components.
Train derailment prompts water utility to take precautions
A West Virginia water utility is enhancing its water treatment process as a precaution following the derailment of a train hauling chemicals that later sent up a toxic plume in Ohio.
Jackson, Mississippi appoints new Public Works Director to improve troubled water system
City Engineer Robert Lee was named interim director of the Jackson Public Works Department Friday as Jackson begins a nationwide search to find a permanent candidate to fill the position.
City of Flint lifts boil water advisory after transmission line break
The advisory was lifted at 10:45 a.m. following two consecutive 24-hour testing rounds for bacteria, according to a news release from officials in the city of 80,000, whose water was famously tainted with lead nearly a decade ago.
Florida governor awards $275 million for 75 statewide resilience projects
(UI) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced the award of more than $275 million for 75 resilience projects using funding through the Resilient Florida program, the governor announced on Feb. 6. The money will be used to help prepare coastal and inland communities for the adverse impacts of flooding and storm surge.
KÖBERL Group acquires pipeline cleaning and wastewater technology specialists
The goal of the KÖBERL Group is the establishment of a leading full-spectrum provider in building technology and building management in Germany.
Water coalition urges California governor to improve water infrastructure in San Joaquin Valley
(UI) — The Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley sent Governor Newsom a letter regarding the recent storms California received and proposed projects to improve the state’s water systems to support fluctuations in rainfall after years of drought.
Jacksonville, Florida partners with artificial intelligence company to improve stormwater fee assessment
Jacksonville, Florida, will use various state-of-the-art technologies to create a high-resolution map of over 350,000 parcels in Duvale County. These technologies include artificial intelligence, ariel imagery, and geographic information systems. The goal of the project is to streamline private property assessments to determine landowner responsibilities according to the IAC program.
Philadelphia awarded $340 million for water infrastructure, lead pipe replacement projects
(UI) — Portions of Philadelphia’s drinking water systems are approaching the end of their useful life and need significant upgrades to continue to deliver clean and safe water to the residents of Philadelphia. The initial loan of $19.8 million will modernize critical drinking water infrastructure by replacing approximately 160 lead service lines and 15 miles of watermains throughout the city.
Oregon halts construction on water pipeline project after 12 years and $38 million
(UI) — The Portland Water Bureau abruptly stopped work on the intended building of a new water pipeline beneath the Willamette River today after more than 12 years of planning and preparation and the investment of $38 million.
Interior: $580 million headed to 15 tribes to fulfill water rights
Fifteen Native American tribes will get a total of $580 million in federal money to pay for pipelines, pumping stations, and canals to help deliver water to the tribe's reservations.
Texas lawmakers to push water infrastructure upgrades to forefront of legislative agenda
(UI) — For the upcoming fiscal year, Texas is anticipated to have a record surplus. Now, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is hoping to direct some of that money toward much-needed renovations to the state's water infrastructure.
Pumping Mississippi River water west: solution or dream?
While the much-needed water has improved conditions in the parched West, experts warn against claiming victory. About 60% of the region remains in some form of drought, continuing a decades-long spiral into water scarcity.
West Virginia lab owner admits to falsifying test results for city’s public water
The co-owner of a West Virginia water laboratory on Monday pleaded guilty in federal court to submitting false results for a city’s public drinking water samples that were never tested, prosecutors said.
H2O Innovation awarded $5.5 million of new water, wastewater treatment projects
(UI) — H2O Innovation’s business line Water Technologies & Services has recently been awarded five new water and wastewater treatment projects, including four industrial projects. These new contracts have a total value of $5.5 million.
Arizona judge won’t compel Scottsdale to share water
An Arizona judge says she won’t compel Scottsdale to resume an arrangement that allowed residents of a neighboring community to get their water from a city standpipe, saying the flap isn’t the court’s concern.
Pennsylvania passes ‘forever chemicals’ drinking water limit
Pennsylvania has enacted a statewide drinking water limit on two forms of highly toxic chemicals, nicknamed “forever chemicals.” The rule applies to all 3,117 water systems, the Department of Environmental Protection said.
Wyoming’s water infrastructure rated “mediocre” by engineering group
(UI) — The Wyoming section of the American Society of Civil Engineers released the first Report Card for Wyoming’s Infrastructure on Tuesday, with the state’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure receiving a grade of “C” and “D+”. According to the report, a C is considered “mediocre” while a D is “poor.”
DOJ appointee releases new plan for 'tenuous' Jackson water
The interim manager appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice to reform the troubled water system in Mississippi's capital city released a new financial plan Friday to change the way Jackson bills for water and spend hundreds of millions of federal relief funds paying down the system's debt.
Flint, Mich., and plaintiffs agree on new date to replace lead water lines
(UI) — After again missing the court-approved date for the replacement of lead water lines last autumn, the city of Flint, Michigan, and a group of plaintiffs who sued the city agreed to set a new timetable.
Federal money driving Jackson water bill, DOJ appointee says
A bill before the Mississippi Legislature that would transfer the capital city’s troubled water system to a new regional entity could be motivated by a desire by state officials to access a large pot of federal dollars earmarked for the city, Jackson’s federally appointed water operator said Wednesday.
Water system in Mississippi’s Capital could get new owners
Jackson’s troubled water system could get a new set of owners under legislation advanced Tuesday by Republican lawmakers in Mississippi. The bill would transfer ownership to a new public entity overseen by a nine-member board, the majority of which would be appointed by state leaders.
Nevada water authority approves $70 million for water projects, pipeline system
(UI) — More than $70 million in water projects were approved by the Southern Nevada Water Authority on Jan. 19, with roughly half going toward pipelines that North Las Vegas city officials hope will boost economic growth at Apex Industrial Park.
South Dakota lawmakers consider $220 million for housing, water
South Dakota lawmakers are considering a pair of infrastructure funding bills that would allocate over $220 million to housing and water supply projects.
Residents in Scottsdale, Ariz., file lawsuit against city for disrupting water supply
(UI) — After being cut off from its municipal water supply due to severe drought conditions and falling Colorado River water levels, a suburb of Arizona has filed a lawsuit against Scottsdale. Residents of the unincorporated hamlet of Rio Verde Foothills filed a lawsuit against Scottsdale earlier this month in Maricopa County Superior Court, requesting an order to compel the city to resume water services.
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- 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