Water
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.
Nevada lawmakers consider bill to “buy back” groundwater rights in diminished basins
The Nevada bill — still awaiting a Senate committee vote — could be amended further as its sponsor, Republican state Sen. Pete Goicoechea, addresses concerns over implementation and funding, including the $5 million price tag that some say isn’t enough.
Shimmick to secure contract for Chattanooga’s $58 million stormwater management project
(UI) — The $58 million project would provide inline stormwater storage capacity to protect the city and surrounding communities from stormwater overflows during peak storm events, ensuring the area is equipped to manage sewage and is also expected to create more than 75 jobs during construction.
PURIS enhances potable water rehabilitation leadership, acquires D&D Water & Sewer
(UI) — PURIS, a provider of trenchless infrastructure renewal solutions, has announced the acquisition of the assets of D&D Water & Sewer Inc. Headquartered in Canton, Mich., D&D provides the region with specialized underground infrastructure installation and repair solutions.
Broken water pipe in Jackson, Miss., leaks 5 million gallons per day
(UI) — The leak at the old Colonial Country Club in Jackson, Miss., wasted an estimated 5 million gallons of drinking water daily in a community that had none to spare, forcing citizens to boil their tap water and businesses to close because their faucets were dry.
California American Water to sign pure water Monterey expansion agreement
(UI) — California American Water plans to sign the Pure Water Monterey Expansion agreement – an expansion project that will aid future water supplies for the Monterey Peninsula, along with desalination and an aquifer storage and recovery system that stores excess winter river flows for use during dry months.
Indiana American Water files rate request driven by $875 million wastewater investment
(UI) — Indiana American Water filed a rate adjustment request on March 31 with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission reflecting $875 million in water and wastewater system investments to be made through 2025.
Panama City Beach, Fl. applies for $3 million grant to develop “controversial” stormwater project
The controversial stormwater project would combine outfalls near Lullwater Lake and Calypso Resort and Tower, send the water underground and place it roughly 1,500 ft. into the Gulf of Mexico.
Military members file claims for fuel in Hawaii Navy drinking water
A Navy sailor, an Army colonel and an Army major are the first active-duty military members taking the initial step toward suing the U.S. government over jet fuel that contaminated drinking water in Hawaii.
North Carolina lawmakers propose $2 billion investment plan for water, sewer projects
Rep. Dean Arp, a Union County Republican and one of the chief budget writers, said the House plan includes $3.6 billion on infrastructure investments over the next two years, along with $2 billion for local and regional water and sewer system projects.
Mayor: Philadelphia water will not be tainted by spill
“We can all confidentially say the threat has passed — I repeat: All the city’s drinking water is safe to drink and will not be impacted by the spill,” Mayor Jim Kenney said Tuesday night. Sampling hasn’t detected any substance from the spill, and “models tracking the flow and tide of the Delaware River show the potential threat is passing us,” he said.
Congress approves measure to toss Biden’s water protections
Congress on Wednesday approved a resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s protections for the nation’s waterways that Republicans have criticized as a burden on business, advancing a measure that President Joe Biden has promised to veto.
Mountain Valley secures water permits for pipeline project in Virginia
(UI) — The 303-mile proposed pipeline is permitted to pass through the state's streams and wetlands thanks to a permit issued by Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality, according to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
- 290-mile gas pipeline expansion proposed across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- $227 million Garnet Valley water project advances, set to create 73,000 jobs in Nevada
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish
- Construction underway for $1.4 billion, 60-mile water pipeline in Chicago
- Gehl and Mustang offer world’s largest skid loader
- Growing Pains and Gains
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish