Water
Communities await first US limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to propose restrictions on harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water after finding they are dangerous in amounts so small as to be undetectable. But experts say removing them will cost billions, a burden that will fall hardest on small communities with few resources.
Mayor: Water pressure should return to NJ city after break
Officials say water pressure should gradually return to a small New Jersey city across the Hudson River from Manhattan stricken by a water main break that left most residents with no water service or low water pressure.
Idaho joins Texas lawsuit against Biden administration over federal clean-water rules
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador contend that a new interpretation of a Clean Water Act rule is too vague, oversteps the bounds of federal authority and puts the liberties of states and private property owners at risk.
Leading environmental engineering firm to study alternative water conveyance options in California
Leading environmental engineering and construction services firm Brown and Caldwell has been hired by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) to study alternative water conveyance options to provide supply diversity to the region during severe droughts.
$80 million project installs over 9.5 miles of new water mains, sewers in three NY neighborhoods
(UI) — The project replaced over five miles (26,815 ft) of older distribution water mains with new pipes ranging from 8 inches to 24 inches in diameter throughout Bayside, Auburndale and Flushing neighborhoods. More than two miles of new trunk water mains were also added, which included 5,775 ft of 72-inch mains and 8,295 ft of 48-inch mains.
North Carolina to spend $463 million on local water infrastructure improvement projects
According to the governor’s office, the state is able to increase its water infrastructure investments, thanks to sources such as the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
USG becomes independent company to provide water asset management and rehabilitation services
USG’s offerings include maintenance services for water storage tanks, pipe networks, and concrete structures in water and wastewater plants.
Boyne Capital acquires McKee Utility Contractors to expand utility infrastructure portfolio
Boyne Capital has partnered with management in acquiring McKee Utility Contractors, a water and sewer infrastructure services platform providing pipeline installation, replacement, tunneling, and boring for water, wastewater, and stormwater utility customers.
Biden administration announces $33 million for clean water infrastructure for Nebraska, Kansas
The funding will support communities in upgrading essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies.
New York to bring new water infrastructure to rural communities throughout the state
The program sees professionals from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. performing on-site assistance or virtual consultations. This assistance will help small communities in the state with planning, finishing projections, and funding applications.
U.S. appeals court re-establishes Trump-era water rule, energy industry celebrates
The Trump-era rule reinterprets part of the Clean Water Act that allows states and Native American tribes authority to deny approvals for interstate pipelines and other projects that pollute waterways in their areas. The new rule keeps states from blocking such projects unless they can prove the projects will directly pollute their waterways.
Toxic wastewater from Ohio train crash to be transported to Texas
The wastewater is being sent to Texas Molecular, which injects hazardous waste into the ground for disposal.
Olea Edge Analytics launches AI technology to improve water utility services in California
Olea’s Meter Health Analytics (MHA) solution uses AI technology to provide previously unattainable insights into the performance of commercial and industrial water meters, which can have an outsized impact on both water loss and utility revenue.
Atlas Copco launches fully electric self-priming dewatering pump range solution
(UI) — The E-Pump range, which comprises the PAC High Head and High Flow models, offers an electric alternative to diesel-powered dewatering pumps. This allows customers to reduce their CO2 footprint and operate in emission-restrictive areas with no fuel consumption. This flexible solution is ideally suited for many applications like sewage bypass, dewatering in mining, and urban construction projects with access to a power source.
Vortex Companies adds small diameter pipe UV curing technology to UV CIPP solution suite
(UI) — MICROcure is specifically engineered to reline sewer mains, laterals, and interior plumbing systems ranging from 3-inch to 10-inch in diameter and works with both inversion and CIPP methods. Designed for portability, MICROcure is built on a two-wheel carriage and weighs only 176 pounds.
Ayyeka introduces new sewer overflow data management technology
(UI) — Ayyeka’s latest product, Storm Scope, addresses the endless issues connected to combined sewer overflow data management. The Storm Scope software platform collects and organizes data from remote locations, transforming distant landscapes into manageable assets.
Water utilities to be affected by EPA’s proposed PFAS regulations
In 2022, the EPA issued a health advisory saying that all levels of PFAS substances in drinking water are dangerous. According to water attorney John Kindschuh, safe levels are “so low that most if not all public water systems can’t even detect it.”
Ridgewood, IDE partner with City of Fort Lauderdale for new water treatment plant
Ridgewood Infrastructure and IDE Technologies announced the closing of a public private partnership with the City of Fort Lauderdale to design, build, and operate a new 50 million gallon per day water treatment plant – the Prospect Lake Clean Water Center.
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.
- 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