20 Percent of NA Water Pipelines Beyond Useful Lives, Report Finds
Utah State University (USU) has published a third extensive study of commonly used water pipe materials titled, "Water Main Break Rates in the USA and Canada: A Comprehensive Study."
According to primary researcher, Professor Steven L. Barfuss, P.E., one of the most important indicators for identifying failing pipelines is water main break rates. Pipe performance continues to be impacted by soil corrosivity, and the replacement of asbestos cement and cast iron pipe is creating a shift in predominant pipe materials.
"Our infrastructure is aging, causing water pipelines to deteriorate," says Professor Barfuss. "Utilities can use this report to assist with asset management and facilitate water infrastructure planning and pipe replacement decision-making. The goals are to control operating costs, reduce service level impacts, and minimize health risks to customers."
Over 800 utilities were surveyed and almost 400,000 miles of pipe data were analyzed, representing 17 percent of the estimated 2.3 million miles of water mains in the United States and Canada. This data set is large enough to provide accurate information on the characteristics of aging pipe infrastructure and the costs of repair and replacement.
"Notably, the report shows that 20 percent or 452,000 miles of water pipes in the US and Canada are beyond their useful lives and need to be replaced but have not been due to lack of funds. This represents a $452 billion shortfall. In 2012, utilities reported that only 8 percent of installed water mains were beyond their useful lives, so this is a growing problem," Professor Barfuss adds.
Georgia Officials Table Proposed ‘Rain Tax’
Homeowners in Cobb County, Ga., successfully tabled a proposed stormwater fee until summer 2024. While county officials insist that the fee is necessary to upgrade the area’s aging infrastructure, residents feel the “rain tax” will become a burden when money is already tight.
Stormwater infrastructure in Cobb County features 50 year-old piping that causes frequent leaks, flooding and sinkholes. Budget constraints and maintenance bottlenecks exacerbate the problem.
Currently, homeowners pay only for the water they use. Under the proposed stormwater fee, residents would see their bills based on their property’s impervious surface area. The so-called “rain tax” would increase average utility bills by as much as $4 and affect those who generate more stormwater runoff.
While many residents understand and agree with the need for improved stormwater infrastructure, they feel that officials have failed to educate the public about the proposed fee and should come up with a better plan.
Federal Judge Finds Flint, Mich, in Contempt Over Lead Water Pipe Crisis
A federal judge has found the city of Flint in contempt for failing to comply with a court order that spelled out the steps it needed to take to finish replacing old lead pipes following the Michigan city’s lead-contaminated water scandal.
U.S. District Judge David Lawson wrote that he had found Flint in civil contempt because it had failed to meet deadlines for pipe removal outlined in his February 2023 order. The city had originally promised to replace the pipes by early 2020.
Lawson’s ruling comes after he held a June 2023 hearing on a motion seeking a contempt finding filed the previous month by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and Concerned Pastors for Social Action.
The city had agreed to replace the pipes by early 2020, but still has not completed that work, the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a news release. Also, nearly 2,000 homes still have damage to curbs, sidewalks and lawns caused by the lead pipe replacement program, the council said.
Flint City Attorney William Kim issued a statement saying the city is committed to continuing to replace lead service lines as long as funds are available. So far, the city has completed service line identification and replacement at 29,485 addresses, and about 30 addresses remain that require lead service line excavation, he said.
Duke Reports 10,000 Cuts to Gas, Electric Lines in 2023
In recognition of National Safe Digging Month, Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy are reminded professional excavators to call 811 before digging to protect the nation's underground utility infrastructure.
In 2023, Piedmont and Duke Energy reported more than 10,300 cuts to underground lines (natural gas and electric) in their service territories. Specifically, Piedmont and Duke Energy reported over 3,500 damages to their underground natural gas facilities in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky, while Duke Energy reported more than 6,800 damages to its underground electric network in all its service territories.
"Every April, many homeowners and construction crews begin projects that involve digging, and with that, we see an increase in emergency calls for cut utility lines," said Brian Weisker, senior vice president and president of Duke Energy's natural gas business.
The national 811 "Call Before You Dig" system was created so anyone who plans to dig can make a free call to have underground utility lines clearly marked. Contractors and anyone preparing for an excavation project should call 811 at least three business days before digging begins. The local utilities will send a crew to mark underground lines in the area (electric, natural gas, water, sewer, phone, cable TV and others) with stakes, flags or paint.
Enbridge Joins JV To Connect Assets To LNG, Gulf Coast Projects
Enbridge Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement with WhiteWater/I Squared Capital and MPLX LP to form a joint venture that will develop, construct, own, and operate natural gas pipeline and storage assets connecting Permian Basin natural gas supply to growing LNG and U.S. Gulf Coast ("USGC") demand.
Upon closing of the transaction, Enbridge will contribute its Rio Bravo pipeline project and roughly $350 million in cash to the joint venture and will fund the first $150 million of the post-closing capex to complete the Rio Bravo pipeline project.
Enbridge will receive a 19 percent equity interest in the joint venture and retain a 25 percent economic interest in the Rio Bravo pipeline project.
OSHA, Safety Week Call on Construction Professionals to ‘Stand Down’
In celebration of Construction Safety Week, an annual, weeklong industry-wide initiative focused on safety and now in its 10th year, and as an extension of Safety Week’s mission to “together, build a stronger, safer industry”, Safety Week and OSHA are partnering to pause work sites throughout the U.S. on May 8 to create the largest industry-wide construction stand down ever held. The group invites construction professionals unable to participate to “stand down” anytime during the week of May 6-10.
Safety Week was founded by members of The Construction Industry Safety Initiative (CISI) and the Incident & Injury Free Executive Forum (IIF) and now includes 70 of the top contractors in the industry, representing thousands of workers.
Sewage Discharges Raise Concerns for Boston Water Safety
Local authorities have issued a public health advisory following recent sewage discharges, also known as combined sewer overflows (CSOs), posing potential risks to public health in Boston. Under state regulations, it is mandated for local public health departments to notify the public when such discharges occur, particularly if they last for more than two hours.
The advisory urges the public to refrain from any contact with affected water bodies for at least 48 hours following a sewage discharge or overflow, during rainstorms, and for 48 hours after the cessation of rainstorms. This precautionary measure is necessary due to heightened health hazards from bacteria or other pollutants associated with urban stormwater runoff and untreated or partially treated wastewater discharges.
Several locations have been affected, including the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority Outfall MWR203 in Charlestown at Prison Point, the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority Outfall MWR201 in Cottage Farm location in Cambridge, and various outfalls managed by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission in East Boston and the Fort Point Channel area.
These discharges occurred during a weather event on Saturday, March 23, with advisory expiration set for Monday, March 25, 48 hours after the respective overflow incidents ended.
Combined sewer overflows happen when heavy storms overwhelm the combined sewerage system, causing rainwater to mix with wastewater and discharge into nearby water bodies. This mechanism prevents sewage backups into residential and commercial properties.
Colorado Springs Utilities Undertakes Underground Power Line Shift
In Colorado Springs, efforts are underway by Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) to relocate power lines underground after identifying susceptibility during a windstorm in 2021, KOAA News5 reported.
The initiative, situated along North Nevada Avenue, south of East Fillmore Street, commenced earlier this month and is slated for completion by July. CSU spokesperson Brittany Harrison highlighted the project's role in modernizing the city's aging infrastructure to meet evolving energy conservation needs.
According to Harrison, this endeavor aligns with their sustainable energy plan, prioritizing infrastructure investments to fortify the electric grid's resilience and reliability. The transition involves relocating a mile of overhead power lines to underground poles, a strategic move aimed at accommodating burgeoning energy demands and population growth. UI