Water & Wastewater Market Recap, April 2024

The April 2024 Water and Wastewater Market Recap covers interesting and useful water industry news for this month. It contains updates on industry drivers, notable projects, and recent mergers and acquisitions, as well as some interesting reads, and upcoming upcoming meetings and conferences.

Industry Drivers

Our data team tracks major developments in the water industry, which we call drivers. Here are some of the most important drivers from last month.

EPA Releases Updated Interim Guidance on Destroying and Disposing of Certain PFAS and PFAS-Containing Materials

Status: Effective

Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Summary: On April 9, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released updated interim guidance on destroying and disposing of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and materials containing these chemicals. The guidance highlights three main technologies: thermal destruction, landfills, and underground injection. It also provides a new technology evaluation framework to assist in assessing emerging methods for PFAS destruction and disposal. This is particularly important as these methods aim to minimize environmental releases and protect communities from PFAS exposure. The guidance also emphasizes the importance of generating and releasing data to validate whether existing and new technologies are suitable for larger-scale use. Additionally, this update follows the initial guidance from 2020 and incorporates public feedback and recent scientific findings.

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EPA Finalizes First-Ever National Drinking Water Standard to Protect 100M People from PFAS Pollution

Status: Effective

Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Summary: On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the first-ever national drinking water standard. This standard, a vital component of the EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap, is aimed at protecting approximately 100 million people from PFAS exposure. Moreover, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated nearly $1 billion in funding to support PFAS testing and treatment, benefiting both public water systems and private well owners. The final rule sets legally enforceable limits for several PFAS in drinking water.

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HR 7944: Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act

Status: Proposed

Organization: U.S. House

Summary: On April 11, 2024, the U.S. Congress introduced the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act, which aims to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) by exempting certain entities from liability concerning the release of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Specifically, it seeks to protect water and wastewater systems from cleanup liability when they have appropriately disposed of water treatment byproducts containing PFAS. Additionally, the act upholds the "polluter pays" principle, ensuring that the manufacturers of PFAS are held accountable for their share of environmental remediation costs.

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State Water Resources Control Board Adopts New Drinking Water Regulatory Standard to Improve Protections from Hexavalent Chromium

Status: Proposed

Organization: California State Water Board

Summary: On April 17, 2024, the State Water Resources Control Board of California adopted a new Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for hexavalent chromium in drinking water at 10 parts per billion (ppb). This decision significantly lowers the allowable concentration from the previous standard for total chromium, which includes both hexavalent and less toxic forms, set at 50 ppb. The new regulation aims to reduce Californians' potential exposure to this contaminant by 80%. Smaller systems, which may find the cost of compliance challenging, are granted a more extended implementation period, ranging from two to four years, depending on the size of the system. The State Water Board is offering financial aid and technical assistance through its Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) program to support these systems. The new MCL is awaiting finalization by the Office of Administrative Law and is expected to take effect by October 1.

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EPA Finalizes Critical Rule to Clean up PFAS Contamination to Protect Public Health

Status: Effective

Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Summary: On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to designate two widely used PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. This designation enables the EPA to compel polluters to clean up or pay for the cleanup of these substances rather than burdening taxpayers with these costs. The rule also requires that entities report any PFOA and PFOS releases exceeding one pound within a 24-hour period to the National Response Center and other emergency responders. Additionally, the EPA has issued a CERCLA enforcement discretion policy focusing on parties that significantly contributed to PFAS releases, including manufacturers and industrial users.

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Notable Capital Improvement Programs

Here are some recent, notable Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs). FirmoGraphs has deconstructed the CIPs into data elements, along with available project descriptions. Please feel free to request a meeting and review the data live in our business intelligence application.

Clayton County Water Authority, Georgia, Planned Capital Expenditure Increased By 16%

In the CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, Clayton County Water Authority, Georgia, detailed plans to spend nearly $221 million on capital projects, an increase of 16% from $191 million in its 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP has 59 line items, compared to 63 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Clayton County Water Authority's planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Water Reclamation Increases; Water Production Decreases

Planned spending in the Water Reclamation category increased by 76% due to the Casey WRRF 32 MGD Upgrade - Biosolids project, worth $55 million. The Casey Water Resource Recovery Facility 32 Million Gallons per Day Upgrade - Liquids and Casey Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) 32 Million Gallons per Day Upgrade - Solids, amounting to $156 million, were moved to FY 2030-2032 to free up to $56 million for the  Casey WRRF 32 MGD Upgrade - Biosolids project. On the other hand, the Water Production decreased by 38% due to the Hooper Upgrades nearing completion.

Over $50 Million Programmed for Water Resource Recovery Facility

Clayton County Water Authority has two notable line items valued at over $20 million. The largest line item is the Casey WRRF 32 MGD Upgrade—Biosolids, worth $55 million, under the Water Reclamation category. Another $22 million is planned for the Implement Stormwater Capital Improvement Projects, under the Stormwater and Watersheds category.

Click Here to See Clayton County Water Authority, Georgia, CIP

Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, Planned Capital Spending Increased By 45%

In the CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority detailed plans to spend nearly $277 million on capital projects, an increase of 45% from $191 million in its 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP has 45 line items, compared to 50 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority's planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Increase Due to New Projects

Planned spending in the Water category increased by $75 million due to 20 new projects in the recent CIP.  There is also a new project in the Wastewater category, the Big Coppitt and Cudjoe Wastewater Improvements, worth $16 million.

Water Facilities to Receive over $100 Million of Investment

Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority has two notable line items valued at over $25 million, both belonging to the Water category. The largest line item is the Crawl Key Reverse Osmosis Facility, worth $68 million. Another $53 million is planned for the Transmission Plantation Key (MM 86-91) project. 

Click Here to See Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, CIP

City of Sugar Land, Texas, Planned Capital Program Reduced by 2%

In the CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, City of Sugar Land, Texas, detailed plans to spend nearly $289 million on capital projects, a decrease of 2% from $296 million in its 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP has 104 line items, compared to 105 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Sugar Land’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Wastewater Increases; Drainage Decreases

Planned spending in the Wastewater category increased by 54%, or nearly $27 million, due to the addition of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements (North Plant), worth $22 million. Despite the increase, the overall CIP decreased because of the Drainage projects, worth $43 million, which were all funded in 2022-2023, and no projects were added.

Over $60 Million Programmed For Water Treatment Plant Expansion

The City of Sugar Land, Texas, has two notable line items; one is valued at over $50 million, and the other one is valued at over $10 million. The largest line item is the Surface Water Treatment Plant Expansion, worth $63 million, under the Surface Water category. This project involves designing and constructing the Surface Water Treatment Plant expansion from its current rated capacity of 10.85 million gallons per day (MGD) to 16 MGD. Under the Wastewater category, another $22 million is planned for the  Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements (North Plant).

Click Here to See City of Sugar Land, Texas, CIP

Santa Clara Valley Water District, California, Planned Capital Spending Decreased by 12%

In the CIP covering the 2025-2029 fiscal years, Santa Clara Valley Water District, California detailed plans to spend $3.1 billion on capital projects, a decrease of 12% from $3.5 billion in its 2024-2028 CIP. The current CIP has 74 line items, compared to 65 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Santa Clara Valley Water District’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Santa Clara Valley Water District Slashes Spending Across All Business Areas, Water Supply and Flood Protection Hit Hardest with Over $100 Million Reduction

All of the business areas reduced their planned spending. The most significant decrease goes to Water Supply and Flood Protection, which was reduced by over $100 million due to ongoing projects.

Santa Clara Valley Water District's Flagship Project: $880 Million Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit to Safeguard Water Supply

Santa Clara Valley Water District, California, has four notable line items valued at over $100 million. The largest line item is the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit (C1), worth nearly $880 million, under the Water Supply category. The project aims to upgrade Anderson Dam to improve its seismic performance and refurbish aging facilities. Key actions include replacing much of the current embankment dam with a well-compacted, zoned one capable of withstanding the Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE). Additionally, the existing outlet works and spillway will be replaced to meet safety standards and emergency requirements. The project also intends to restore reservoir storage capacity lost due to regulatory restrictions. Listed below are the other notable line items:

• Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project (A1) - worth $637 million, under the Water Supply category. This project aims to increase the storage capacity of the current Pacheco Reservoir to 140,000 acre-feet. This will be achieved by building a new dam, conveyance facilities, and related structures.
• RWTP Reliability Improvement - worth $422 million, under the Water Supply category. The project focuses on enhancing the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant (RWTP) by achieving several goals: building a new filter facility, introducing raw water ozonation, and boosting the plant's capacity to 100 million gallons per day.
• Coyote Creek, Montague Expressway to Tully Road (E1) - worth $189 million, under the Flood Protection category. This project involves planning, designing, and implementing enhancements along about nine miles of Coyote Creek, stretching from Montague Expressway to Tully Road. Its objectives include improving flood protection in the Coyote Watershed, enhancing water quality, fostering stream habitat, and offering recreational amenities. Additionally, the project aims to integrate aesthetic elements consistent with the Coyote Creek park chain.

Click Here to See Santa Clara Valley Water District, California, CIP

What We Are Reading

Here are some recent articles our team has been reading:

• EPA Addresses Pollution Violations Involving Hawaii Wastewater Treatment Plants, Sewer Lines
• Court approves 3M settlement over ‘forever chemicals’ in public drinking water systems
• Illinois EPA issues updated permit to Chicago for combined sewer overflows
• Vermont allocates $29.25 million to combat combined sewer pollution
• North Carolina allocates $25 million to mitigate flooding with upgraded stormwater infrastructure
• Lake Placid Town Council to vote on new $34 million wastewater treatment plant
• Waste industry reacts to PFAS drinking water standards
• Wisconsin Republicans ignore governor’s $125 million proposal to combat ‘forever chemicals’ in groundwater
• Final Rule - Legacy Coal Combustion Residuals Surface Impoundments and CCR Management Units
• $274 million investment to improve water quality across Pennsylvania
• U.S. EPA and Lexington, Kentucky, work to extend deadline for sanitary sewer projects

Meeting Planner

In this over-digitized age, there is no replacement for face-to-face meetings with your prospects and customers! We track meetings of interest to our customers serving the US power generation and supply industry so you won’t miss upcoming meetings and deadlines. Also, FirmoGraphs has recently implemented a free-of-charge service for tracking notable infrastructure events. 

Meetings in May and June 2024

Early Bird Registration

• Event:  WEF Circular Water Economy Summit
  Dates: July 15, 2024 - July 17, 2024
  Deadline for Early Registration: May 31, 2024
  
• Event:  KYTN-AWWA Water Professionals Conference
  Dates: September 8, 2024 - September 11, 2024
  Deadline for Early Registration: June 17, 2024