Water
Michigan receives $500 million investment to rebuild water infrastructure
(UC) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Oct. 1 announced MI Clean Water, a $500 million plan to address water infrastructure investments to Michigan’s water systems.
Mississippi governor responds to Congress on Jackson water crisis
(UC) – Governor Tate Reeves officially responded to a letter sent by Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Rep. Bennie Thompson which raised a series of concerns about the Jackson Water Crisis.
EPA awards California $253 million for infrastructure to support safe drinking water
(UC) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding California $252,873,000 from the State Revolving Funds to assist with infrastructure projects that protect surface water and provide safe drinking water across the state.
US military finishes draining Pearl Harbor fuel pipelines
The U.S. military said it's finished draining three pipelines connecting Pearl Harbor to a fuel storage facility that last year spilled jet fuel into the military installation's tap water and sickened 6,000 people.
Mississippi capital to receive $35.6 million in federal water funds
Mississippi officials on Friday approved the city of Jackson's request for $35.6 million in federal funds to help fix its crumbling water infrastructure, following this summer's flooding-induced breakdowns that left 150,000 people without running water for days.
EPA to conduct first official test of Puerto Rico’s water since Hurricane Fiona
The EPA said it would invest $100,000 in two pilot projects for the southern coastal city of Guayama, where it will sample air and drinking water wells near where coal combustion residues were buried by the AES power plant.
When destitute small towns mean dangerous tap water
While failures of big city water systems attract the attention, it's small communities like Keystone, West Virginia, that more often are left unprotected by destitute and unmaintained water providers.
Governor Hochul reveals first round of New York water projects to receive $176 million assistance
(UC) — Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced the first projects in New York State to receive $176 million in financial assistance for clean water infrastructure improvements as part of funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Pflugerville, Texas, receives $52 million loan to modernize drinking water infrastructure
(UC) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $52 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan to Pflugerville, Texas. The city will utilize the loan to upgrade its drinking water infrastructure and establish new pretreatment and filtration technologies to enhance the disinfection process in its water systems.
Governor Beshear awards $217 million to support clean water initiatives across Kentucky
(UC) — Governor Andy Beshear has awarded over $217 million in funding to support 408 projects that will provide clean drinking water and improve water infrastructure across 102 counties in Kentucky.
Federal judge says new plans for pipeline fails to address water pollution concerns
(UC) — A federal circuit court judge ruled last week that West Virginia regulators have not fully explained how permissions for the Mountain Valley Pipeline construction have been altered to minimize future water pollution.
Florida city prepares to undergo $20 million expansion of water, sewage utility network
(UC) — The city of Tallahassee wants to begin planning the expansion of water and sewage utility services to Southside neighborhoods. Planning, according to the City Commission, would cost $2 million. The total undertaking is anticipated to cost around $20 million and take three years to finish.
Florida governor invests nearly $5 million to support water infrastructure upgrades
(UC) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced $4.9 million in infrastructure investments last Thursday to eight rural Northwest Florida communities through the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) program. Awards include upgrading water and wastewater utilities, constructing public roadways and public building renovations.
Unclear whether post-Sandy repairs will be enough for the next big storm
After Superstorm Sandy struck the northeast U.S. in 2012, an unprecedented effort began to fortify the densely populated coastline against the next big storm. Then, last year, the region learned that even all those precautions might not be enough in an age of more powerful storms.
Mississippi water investigations said to test Biden racial equity pledge
Federal investigations into public spending on the failing water system in Mississippi’s majority-Black capital city are a test of President Joe Biden’s commitment to racial equity, one of his congressional allies told hundreds of people at a town hall meeting hosted by the NAACP.
US Justice Department sues Idaho city over water pollution
The federal government is suing a small Idaho town near Grand Teton National Park for dumping toxic waste from its sewage treatment plant into a stream that feeds several scenic rivers in the region.
EPA civil rights case targets Mississippi over Jackson water
The federal government is investigating whether Mississippi state agencies discriminated against the state’s majority-Black capital city by refusing to fund improvements for its failing water system.
Colorado OKs reusing wastewater for drinking, creating new supply
Colorado’s water quality agency gave unanimous preliminary approval to regulate direct potable reuse — the process of treating sewage and sending it directly to taps without first being dispersed in a larger water body.
Pennsylvania allocates $236 million to 15 counties for water infrastructure renovations
(UC) — Governor Tom Wolf announced the investment of $236 million for 23 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and non-point source projects across 15 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.
Worker admits dumping raw industrial waste into Jackson water system
An employee of a Mississippi wastewater hauling company pleaded guilty in federal court for his part in illegally discharging industrial waste into the capital city’s sewer system.
Artificial Intelligence Speeds Houston’s Sewer Inspections Under Sharp Eye of EPA
(UC) — Working with California-based Sewer AI, through engineering and consulting firm HR Green, Houston has made artificial intelligence a core piece of its inspection and repair workflow since 2021 – the same year a federal judge approved its agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its co-plaintiffs, including the state commission that administers the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA).
Pennsylvania approves use of $320 million in funding for water and sewer projects
(UC) – According to Senator Lisa Baker, the General Assembly approved use of $320 million to help communities across the commonwealth improve the reliability and quality of their water systems. A total of $214.4 million was directed to the H2O grant program and $105.6 million was directed to the Small Water and Sewer grant program.
EPA awards $30 million to disadvantage schools, communities to reduce lead in drinking water
(UC) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced projects that have been selected to receive over $30 million in grant funding, which will help make rapid progress in the Biden-Harris administration's goal of addressing lead and removing lead pipes across the country.
New York distributes $31.3 million to six municipalities for water infrastructure upgrades
(UC) — New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that six municipalities will receive $31.3 million in financial assistance for critical water infrastructure improvements that are crucial to protecting public health and the environment.
Vermont town employee quietly lowered fluoride in water for years
Residents of a small community in Vermont were blindsided by news that one official in their water department quietly lowered fluoride levels years ago, giving rise to worries about their children’s dental health and highlighting the enduring misinformation around water fluoridation.
New Jersey American Water invests $10 million to upgrade water lines in Middletown
(UC) — The $10 million Middletown investment project by New Jersey American Water will replace the deteriorating cast-iron water lines that were put in place as far back as the 1930s with new ductile iron main, the Camden-based utility announced on Oct. 7.
Ex-Michigan governor asks court to drop Flint water charges
Lawyers for former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder urged a judge Tuesday to dismiss misdemeanor charges related to the Flint water crisis, a week after another judge took that step with seven other former officials.
27 municipalities selected to participate in NY clean water infrastructure program
(UC) — Governor Kathy Hochul has selected 27 municipalities to participate in a program in New York that will help develop asset management programs to evaluate, monitor, protect, and responsibly plan upgrades for wastewater infrastructure facilities.
How to steer money for drinking water, sewer upgrades to disadvantaged communities
Recent events in Jackson and Florida show how natural disasters can overwhelm water systems, especially older networks that have been declining for years. As climate change amplifies storms and flooding, investing in water systems is a priority for public health and environmental justice across the U.S.
Ann Arbor sends partially treated wastewater into Huron River
The City of Ann Arbor says an estimated 1.38 million gallons (5.2 million liters) of partially treated wastewater flowed into the Huron River during maintenance at its treatment plant.
- 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