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Water & Wastewater Market Recap, January 2024

Written by FirmoGraphs Staff | Feb 7, 2024 8:52:04 AM

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
Facilities manufacturing, processing, or otherwise using over 100 pounds of any PFAS in a year must report their activities to EPA by July 1, 2025. Adding these seven PFAS brings the total number of PFAS subject to TRI reporting to 196.

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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:



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

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