The January 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.
Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Rule to Prevent Inactive PFAS from Reentering Commerce
Status: Effective
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Summary: On January 8, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that prohibits the use of 329 per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have not been made or used for an extended period without a complete EPA review and risk determination. The rule prevents companies from resuming the use of these inactive PFAS without notifying and getting approval from EPA. The rule also builds on the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which mandated the EPA to conduct safety evaluations for all new chemicals before they are allowed into commerce.
Click Here for More Information
EPA Requires Toxics Release Inventory Reporting for Seven Additional PFAS
Status: Effective
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Summary: On January 9, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the inclusion of seven PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). These seven PFAS are added based on a provision in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which automatically adds PFAS to the TRI list when the EPA finalizes a toxicity value for them. The seven PFAS that were added for the 2024 reporting year are:- Ammonium perfluorohexanoate
- Lithium bis [(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl] azanide
- Potassium perfluorohexanoate
- Sodium perfluorohexanoate
- Sodium perfluorooctanoate
- Sodium perfluorooctanesulfonate
- Sodium perfluoroundecanoate
Click Here for More Information
EPA Develops 6PPD-q Water Testing Method for Widespread Use
Status: Effective
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Summary: On January 30, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a draft testing method (EPA Method 1634) allowing government agencies, Tribes, and other groups to detect 6PPD-quinone in stormwater and surface waters. 6PPD-quinone is a chemical by-product of 6PPD, a common tire additive that can harm coho salmon and other aquatic life. The EPA developed the method in response to the urgent need to identify and address the sources and impacts of 6PPD-quinone in the environment. The EPA is also conducting and funding other research activities on 6PPD-quinone, such as investigating its fate and transport, ecotoxicity, mitigation strategies, and measurement development for multiple media. The EPA is also developing draft screening values for 6PPD-quinone and 6PPD in water that protect sensitive salmon and other aquatic life. Additionally, the EPA is coordinating with the National Science and Technology Council on the potential human health effects of 6PPD-quinone.
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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.
Metropolitan Sewerage District, North Carolina, Planned Capital Expenditure Increased By 33%
In the CIP covering the 2024-2033 fiscal years, Metropolitan Sewerage District, North Carolina, detailed plans to spend $465 million on capital projects, an increase of 33% from $350 million in its 2023-2032 CIP. The current CIP has 90 line items, compared to 88 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down the Metropolitan Sewerage District’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Planned Increase Goes to Existing Projects
Planned spending in the Treatment Plant, Pump Stations & General Capital Improvements category increased largely by 76% with funding towards existing projects. The largest increase was attributed to Solids Handling Capacity Improvements from $3 million to $55 million. In addition, the Weaverville Pump Station (PS) Replacement Project also increased, worth $21 million, to replace PS No. 1, replacing the existing 12-inch force main with 18-inch, and converting PS No. 2 into a smaller residential station.
Over $90 million Planned for Treatment Plant, Pump Stations & General Capital Improvements Project
Metropolitan Sewerage District has four line items valued at over $50 million. The largest line item is the Biological Treatment project, worth $91 million, under the Treatment Plant, Pump Stations & General Capital Improvements category. The project will replace the Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC's) with an alternative biological treatment technology. Other line items include:
- Carrier Bridge PS Replacement - worth $64 million, under the Treatment Plant, Pump Stations & General Capital Improvements category. This project will increase the capacity of the Carrier Bridge Pump Station to 40 MGD to accommodate future growth in south and west Asheville, as well as CCWSD. It also includes replacing the pump station, screening, odor control, electrical building, and an emergency generator.
- Solids Handling Capacity Improvements - worth $55 million, under the Treatment Plant, Pump Stations & General Capital Improvements category. This project will increase the capacity of the solids handling processes at the treatment plant and will include a new incinerator and dewatering equipment.
- SSD Rehabilitation & Replacement - worth $51 million, under the General Sewer Rehabilitation category.
Click Here to See Metropolitan Sewerage District, North Carolina, CIP
City of Clearwater, Florida, Planned Capital Expenditure Increased By 25%
In the CIP covering the 2024-2029 fiscal years, the city of Clearwater, Florida, detailed plans to spend nearly $950 million on capital projects, an increase of 25% from $758 million in its 2023-2028 CIP. The current CIP has 166 line items, compared to 161 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Clearwater’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Most Significant Increase in Water-Sewer Combination Services and Road and Street Facilities
Planned spending in the Water-sewer Combination Services category increased by 35% with funding towards existing projects and programs, including Sanitary Sewer R & R providing general system wide condition inspections, and repair and replacements, which increased by more than $60 million. There is also a new project under the Road and Facilities category, the Nash Street, worth $25 million. This project provides for the design and reconstruction of stormwater, roadway reconstruction, expansion and/or replacement of sidewalk infrastructure, sanitary sewer gravity main reconstruction, potable water main reconstruction, reclaimed water main reconstruction and right-of-way restoration.
Over $50 Million Planned For Water Treatment Plant Project
The City of Clearwater has two notable line items valued at over $50 million and four at over $30 million. The largest line item is the R.O. Plant at Water Treatment Plant (WTP) #3, worth $59 million under the Water-sewer Combination Services category. This project provides funding for a treatment system to reduce regulated constituents levels in the raw water, total dissolved solids (TDS) including arsenic, etc. that serves as a source water for WTP #3. Other notable line items are listed below:
- Public Works Complex - worth $56 million, under the Other Physical Environment. This project provides for the redevelopment of the City's Public Works Complex (PWC) located at 1650 No. Arcturas Avenue.
- Fort Harrison Reconstruction - worth $47 million, under the Road And Street Facilities category. This project provides funding for the design and reconstruction of Fort Harrison Ave. corridor from the apex at Fort Harrison Ave. and Myrtle Ave. (north) to Belleair Rd. (south).
- R.O. Plant at Reservoir #2 Upgrades & Improvements - worth $40 million, under the Water-sewer Combination Services category. Provides funding for the expansion of the City's existing R.O. plant, which includes plant equipment, and piping modifications.
- Coopers Point - worth $40 million, under the Other Physical Environment category. This project is for the design and construction of water quality and habitat improvements on and around Cooper's Point.
- Beach Marina Parking Garage - worth $36 million, under the Parking Facilities category. This project is established to provide for the future construction of a new parking garage at the Clearwater Beach Marina.
Click Here to See City of Clearwater, Florida, CIP
Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Nevada, Planned Capital Program Increased By 13%
In the CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Nevada, detailed plans to spend nearly $446 million on capital projects, an increase of 13% from $393 million in its 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP has 156 line items, compared to 131 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Truckee Meadows Water Authority's planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Significant Increase Due to New Projects
The Treatment Plant Improvements category increased by 46% or 21 million going towards the existing Orr Ditch Pump Station Rehabilitation and Hydro Facility and Spanish Springs Nitrate Treatment Facility. There are also nine new projects in the Hydroelectric Improvements category and two in Potable Water Storage Improvements, increasing each business area by $10 million.
Water Facility To Receive Over $100 Million
Truckee Meadows Water Authority has one notable line item valued at over $100 million and two at over $10 million. The largest line item is the Advanced Purified Water Facility at American Flat, worth $112 million, under the Raw Water Supply Improvements category. The facility will be Nevada’s first Advanced Purified Water project achieving category A+ reclaimed water quality, with 2 million gallons per day (MGD), producing 2,000 acre-feet of water annually. The other two projects belong to the Treatment Plant Improvements: the Orr Ditch Pump Station Rehabilitation and Hydro Facility and Spanish Springs Nitrate Treatment Facility, which are worth $28 million and $14 million, respectively.
Click Here to See Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Nevada CIP
City of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Planned Capital Program Increased By 34%
In the CIP covering the 2024-2029 fiscal years, City of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, detailed plans to spend $592 million on capital projects, an increase of 34% from $441 million in its 2023-2028 CIP. The current CIP has 108 line items, compared to 99 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down City of Rio Rancho’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Substantial Increase in the C.I.F Wastewater and Public Works Categories
Planned spending in the C.I.F. Wastewater category increased by 89% due to the addition of the Wastewater Treatment Plant 2 Biological Nutrient Removal or Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Expansion as well as various Lift Station improvements. There is also a 31% increase in the Public Works category going to Roadway General Obligation Bond Projects and Pavement Preservation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Programs.
Over $25 Million Programmed For Golf Course Road
The City of Rio Rancho, New Mexico has three notable line items valued at over $20 million. The largest line item is the Southern Boulevard Reconstruction Phase 2A - Western Hills to 525' east of Golf Course Road, worth $26 million, under the Public Works category. Another $24 million is also planned in the same category for the City Center Facility Plan-Storm Drainage & Land Acquisition. The C.I.F. Wastewater also receives a notable project, the Wastewater Treatment Plant 2 Biological Nutrient Removal or Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Expansion amounting to $23 million.
Click Here to See City of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, CIP
Notable M&A
The following M&A transactions in the Water and Wastewater Industry stood out in the month of January:
What We Are Reading
Here are some recent articles our team has been reading:
- TDEC unveils $191.2 million water infrastructure investment across Tennessee
- Florida governor allocates $30 million for Caloosahatchee River water quality projects
- Navajo Tribal Utility Authority agrees to $100 Million in Wastewater Treatment Improvements
- Minnesota governor unveils $119 million water infrastructure investment in 2024 infrastructure plan
- Swinerton Builders Reaches Agreement to Address Clean Water Act Violations and Offset Environmental Harm at Solar Farm Construction Sites in Alabama, Idaho and Illinois
- When will the PFAS MCLs be finalized?
- Oil Companies to Pay $7.4 Million in Civil Penalties to Resolve U.S. Claims for Pipeline Spill on Allotted Tribal Land
- United States Reaches Agreement with Guam Waterworks Authority Requiring Investment in Sewer System Infrastructure
- Pennsylvania's water infrastructure gets boost with $194 million investment
- Advanced Drainage Systems and RMS form strategic alliance for stormwater solutions
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 February and March 2024
|
Name Organization |
Name Meeting |
Date Start |
Date End |
| National Association of Clean Water Agencies | NACWA Winter Conference |
2024-02-13 | 2024-02-16 |
| Water Environment Federation | WEF/AWWA Utility Management Conference | 2024-02-13 | 2024-02-16 |
| American Water Works Association | AWWA Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition | 2024-03-04 | 2024-03-07 |
| American Water Works Association, Arizona Section | AZ-AWWA Biosolids & Wastewater Treatment Symposium | 2024-03-07 | 2024-03-07 |
| American Water Works Association, South Carolina Section | SC-AWWA South Carolina Environmental Conference | 2024-03-10 | 2024-03-13 |
| WateReuse Association | WateReuse Association Annual Symposium | 2024-03-11 | 2024-03-14 |
| National Ground Water Association | NGWA Pacific Northwest Ground Water Exposition | 2024-03-15 | 2024-03-16 |
| Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies | AMWA Water Policy Conference | 2024-03-18 | 2024-03-20 |
| American Water Works Association, New Jersey Section |
AWWA NJ Annual Conference |
2024-03-19 | 2024-03-22 |
| American Water Works Association, Arizona Section | AZ-AWWA Water Annual Research Symposium | 2024-03-22 | 2024-03-22 |
| American Water Resources Association | AWRA Geospatial Water Technology Conference | 2024-03-25 | 2024-03-27 |
| Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania | ESWP Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference | 2024-03-25 | 2024-03-27 |
Early Bird Registration
- Event: NGWA Pacific Northwest Ground Water Exposition
Dates: March 15 - March 16, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: February 22, 2024 - Event: FSAWWA Florida Water Resources Conference
Dates: April 2 - April 6, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: February 29, 2024 - Event: AWWA NJ Annual Conference
Dates: March 19 - March 22, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: March 1, 2024 - Event: NYSAWWA New York Section’s Annual Water Event
Dates: April 9 - April 11, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: March 8, 2024 - Event: American Water Works Association, British Columbia Section
Dates: April 28 - April 30, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: March 14, 2024 - Event: NGWA Groundwater in the PFAS Era: Stressors, Protection, and Compliance
Dates: April 16 - April 17, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: March 15, 2024
Call for Papers
- Event: WIAWWA Annual Conference
Dates: September 11, 2024 - September 13, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: February 23, 2024 - Event: MN AWWA Annual Conference
Dates: September 17, 2024 - September 20, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: March 1, 2024