Water
California storms feed systems set up to capture rainwater
As Californians tally the damage from recent storms, some are taking stock of the rainwater captured by cisterns, catches, wells and underground basins. Hidden under a newly paved parking lot next to a county courthouse, the wastewater treatment plant filters and purifies sewage and runoff simultaneously to produce water that exceeds state and federal drinking water regulations.
Digging Deep for Resilience
(UI) — Resilience is an essential concept for water infrastructure as well, defined by the American Society of Civil Engineers as “a system’s ability to withstand and adapt to the impacts of natural and/or manmade disasters.” As climate instability increases the likelihood of heavy downpours, sewer systems without ample capacity are increasingly vulnerable to overflow.
Governor Hochul invests additional $143 million into New York water infrastructure projects
(UI) — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $143 million in financial assistance for seven water infrastructure improvement projects, the latest action to upgrade New York's water and sewer systems, reduce water pollution, and safeguard vital drinking water supplies.
Missouri utility unveils $425 million water infrastructure plan
(UI) — Investor-owned water company Missouri American Water said on Jan. 12 that this year will see more than $425 million in enhancements to the state's water and wastewater systems.
Pennsylvania to invest $236 million for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater projects
(UI) — Gov. Tom Wolf has announced the investment of $236 million for 25 drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects across 17 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.
US Water Alliance, Stantec release report offering innovative model for water pricing equity
(UI) — The report released by the U.S. Water Alliance and Stantec presents an innovative model for pricing and billing water that is an opportunity to achieve greater equity by reducing water bills for most low-income households while preserving revenue and improving financial resilience for water utilities.
DeSantis pledges $3.5 billion to Florida water projects, conservation efforts
A week into his second term, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Tuesday reaffirming and building on a commitment to clean water he had signed exactly four years earlier.
Louisiana lawmakers award $357 million in sewer, water projects
(UI) — Louisiana lawmakers have approved $356.7 million for 87 sewer and water upgrades around the state during their Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget meeting held in December.
Idaho awarded $263 million for wastewater upgrades, to help recharge Boise River water supply
(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $263 million loan to Boise, Idaho, to improve the city’s wastewater treatment processes to protect the Boise River’s water quality and ultimately recharge the drought-burdened Boise River with high-quality effluent.
Biden signs water bills benefiting 3 tribes in Arizona
A Native American tribe that has one of the largest and most secure rights to Colorado River water now has approval to lease some of it in Arizona, a state that’s been hardest hit by cuts to its water supply and is on a perpetual search for more.
Prime Resins’ acrylamide grout approved for potable water contact
(UI) — Prime Resins’ PR10L ACLM, a super-thin liquid that follows infiltration to seal leaks when gelled, has received NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 certification for contact with potable water, the company announced on Friday.
Badger Meter enhances smart water capabilities with acquisition of Syrinix
(UI) — Badger Meter Inc. has announced the acquisition of Syrinix Ltd., a privately held provider of intelligent water monitoring solutions, for £15 million ($18 million), funded with available cash.
Biden-Harris administration invests $84 million in 36 drought resiliency projects
(UI) — The selected projects will help bring clean, reliable drinking water to communities across the West through investments in innovative drought resilience efforts, such as groundwater storage, rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, water reuse, ion exchange treatment, and other methods to stretch existing water supplies.
New Jersey water commission receives go-ahead to upgrade cast iron water pipes
(UI) — Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) has received approval for four engineering contracts to begin the initial studies necessary to make improvements to its aging cast iron water pipes, PVWC Executive Director Jim Mueller announced.
EPA awards New Jersey $500 million to modernize wastewater, drinking water infrastructure
(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Thursday a $500 million loan to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to modernize wastewater and drinking water systems serving over 10 million people throughout New Jersey.
Energy sector to generate income from wastewater via extraction technology
(UI) — Direct lithium extraction could help exploration and production businesses generate income from wastewater, Rigzone reported. A recent study showed that wastewater in the Delaware Basin could create 225,000 tons of lithium carbonate a year and bring in an extra $19 billion in revenue.
Massachusetts funds stormwater projects to help local coalitions meet permit requirements
(UI) — Gov. Charlie Baker has awarded $273,5165 in grants to four multi-community stormwater coalitions across Massachusetts to help the groups meet existing and upcoming stormwater management requirements.
EPA takes action to address pollution violations at Kailua Wastewater Treatment Plant
(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has entered into an order on consent with the city and county of Honolulu to ensure pollutant discharge requirements are met at the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. The treatment plant is authorized to discharge wastewater via a Clean Water Act permit issued by the Hawaii Department of Health.
Even Mississippi lawmaker feels strain of Jackson water woes
In Mississippi's capital city, where intermittent periods without running water have become a fact of life for residents, a new disruption to the long-troubled water system persists just days before lawmakers are set to arrive for the state's 2023 legislative session.
Deep freeze breaks pipes, creates water crisis across South
Days of freezing temperatures in Deep South areas that usually freeze for only hours are threatening dozens of water systems as burst pipes leak millions of gallons of water.
$600 million designated for struggling water system in Mississippi
The federal government will put $600 million toward repairing the troubled water system in Mississippi's capital city — a project that the mayor has said could cost billions of dollars.
Boil water order issued in Mississippi capital amid freeze
City officials in Jackson, Mississippi, on Christmas Day announced that residents must now boil their drinking water due to water lines bursting in the frigid temperatures.
Biden's signature advances major projects in water bill
The biggest project by far this year is a $34 billion Texas coastal barrier featuring massive floodgates and other structures to protect the Houston region with its concentration of oil refineries and chemical plants, at risk during major hurricanes.
California town grapples with toll of earthquake on water system
Just days before Christmas in Rio Dell, the former lumber town grappled with the aftermath of early Tuesday's magnitude 6.4 earthquake that injured at least 17 people, shook homes off foundations, damaged water systems and left tens of thousands without electricity, some for more than a day.
North Carolina to invest $19 million for water infrastructure upgrades in Yadkin, Surry counties
(UC) — Governor Roy Cooper announced on Dec. 20 North Carolina’s Yadkin and Surry counties would receive $4 million for floodplain resiliency improvements, $8.1 million for water treatment plant filter and clear well replacements and $6.9 million for meters and water line replacements.
Tennessee secures $186 million loan to modernize wastewater infrastructure in Chattanooga
(UC) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $186 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan granted to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to support its Wastewater Compliance and Sustainability Project.
Indiana officials approve increase to stormwater user fee in Elkhart County
(UC) — During a meeting of the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners held on Monday, plans to raise the stormwater user fee in the county overcame another obstacle. The county partnership's stormwater user fee hasn't gone up since it was established in 2006, making it one of the lowest in the area.
Engineering firm reaches settlement in Flint water case
An engineering firm accused of having some responsibility for Flint's lead-contaminated water in 2014-15 has settled a lawsuit with four families, months after a jury couldn't reach a unanimous verdict in August.
MassDEP, Fall River reach agreement to remove all lead service lines from water system
(UC) — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has agreed to suspend a $25,300 penalty against the city of Fall River under the agreement that the city will remove all lead service lines throughout the city following a lead action level exceedance during water quality testing conducted in 2021.
Water lobbyists urge Biden administration to loosen ‘Buy America’ law requirements
(UC) — Water advocacy groups are seeking an exception from the "Buy America" criteria for project developers, arguing that the rules hinder the sector from creating projects meant to combat climate change, provide safe drinking water, handle sewage, and safeguard the public.
- 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