The June 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.
SB-1147 Drinking Water: Bottled Water: Microplastics Levels
Status: Proposed
Organization: California State Legislature
Summary: On June 19, 2024, the Assembly Health Committee passed a bill to study the health impacts of microplastics in California’s drinking water. The bill mandates the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to examine microplastics in both tap and bottled water and establish testing standards. Annual reporting on microplastic levels from bottled water producers is also required. The bill aims to adopt a primary drinking water standard for microplastics and requires annual reporting on microplastics in source water used for bottling.
Click Here for More Information
The California Water Plan: Long-Term Supply Targets
Status: Proposed
Organization: California State Legislature
Summary: On June 26, 2024, SB 366 was approved unanimously by the California State Committee. The bill aims to establish statewide water supply targets in California and requires stakeholders to implement comprehensive, long-term water management solutions. SB 366 seeks to secure California’s water future by setting necessary water supply targets, modernizing the state’s water plan for the 21st century, and ensuring accountability among state agencies. It complements Governor Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy by establishing long-term targets. The bill addresses California's challenges of worsening climate conditions, aging infrastructure, a growing population, and outdated policies, emphasizing the need for significant investment and commitment to new water supplies.
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2024 Drinking Water Needs Assessment
Status: Effective
Organization: California Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
Summary: On June 27, 2024, the California State Water Resources Control Board released its 2024 Drinking Water Needs Assessment, which evaluates the state's water systems and their ability to provide safe drinking water. Established by Senate Bill 200 in 2019, the Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) program has distributed over $831 million in grants to disadvantaged communities, significantly increasing funding compared to previous years. The assessment identifies communities served by failing public water systems and predicts those at risk, estimating a $6.6 billion need for long-term solutions and a $5.5 billion funding gap. Despite 98% of California's population receiving water from systems meeting standards, many disadvantaged communities of color are still at risk. The report highlights the financial challenges faced by small water systems and outlines funding needs and strategies to ensure safe and affordable drinking water for all. The findings inform the prioritization of state funding through the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund.
Click Here for More Information
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.
City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, Planned Capital Spending, Increased by 22%
In the CIP covering the 2025-2030 fiscal years, City and County of Honolulu detailed plans to spend $7.7 billion on capital projects, an increase of 22% from $6.3 billion in its 2024-2029 CIP. The current CIP has 419 line items, compared to 436 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Honolulu’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Increase in Most Business Areas for New Projects
All business areas increased. The most significant increase goes to the Utilities category, which increased by 252% with funding for ongoing projects, including the Aamodt Rural Water - Phase 1 Distribution Lines (Aamodt PBWRS Line). Additionally, the Facility and Public Housing sectors saw substantial increases of 397% and 209%, respectively.
Honolulu's Sanitation Overhaul: Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Leads Over $1 Billion Investment
Honolulu's planned spending includes one major line item valued at over $1 billion and four valued at over $100 million, all belonging to the Sanitation category. The largest line item is the upgrade of the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant to include secondary treatment, worth nearly $2 billion. This involves various improvements such as upgrading processes, site enhancements, adding septage receiving capabilities, and enhancing facilities for better wastewater management. Listed below are the other notable line items:
- Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks, Ps, Energy Svgs, Solids Proc. And Misc Imp. - worth $237 million. This project includes upgrades to Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant facilities, combined with secondary treatment enhancements, and aims to improve energy efficiency, maintenance, reliability, and capacity to meet future needs.
- Pearl City/Waipahu Trunk Sewer - worth $182 million. A new gravity sewer line is proposed to connect the existing Pearl City Wastewater Pump Station to the vicinity of the Waipahu Wastewater Pump Station. The construction will utilize trenchless methods like micro-tunneling.
- Ewa Beach Wastewater Pump Station Force Main System Improvements - worth $170 million. The project involves assessing and rehabilitating the existing force main, along with making necessary improvements at the pump station to ensure compatibility. Based on assessment recommendations, future work may include reconstruction, rehabilitation, diversion facilities, or other enhancements for some or all sections of the force main.
- Waipahu Wastewater Pump Station Force Main - worth $154 million. The project includes a proposed new third force main for the Waipahu Wastewater Pump Station (WWPS).
Click Here to See City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, CIP
Alexandria Renew Enterprises, Virginia, Planned Capital Spending Increased By 3%
In the CIP covering the 2025-2034 fiscal years, Alexandria Renew Enterprises detailed plans to spend $867 million on capital projects, an increase of 3% from $843 million in its 2024-2033 CIP. The current CIP has 49 line items, compared to 55 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Alexandria’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Major Funding Increase: RiverRenew Tunnel Project Receives $90 Million Boost in Capital Improvement Program
Planned spending in the Capital Improvement Program increased by 50% with funding for ongoing projects. Additionally, there is also a project, the new RiverRenew Tunnel Project – Joint, worth $90 million. The Improvement, Renewal & Replacement Program also increased by 40% for ongoing projects.
Alexandria Renew Enterprises Invests Nearly $200 Million in Solids Process Upgrades
Alexandria Renew Enterprises has one notable line item valued at over $100 million and four at over $25 million, all belonging to the Capital Improvement Program category. The largest line item is the Solids Process Upgrades, worth $198 million. The project involves short term improvements and will identify medium- and long-term recommendations to improve solids handling and meet future process needs. Listed below are the other notable line items:
- RiverRenew Tunnel Project – Joint - worth $92 million. This project involves constructing a tunnel, pump stations, and sewer infrastructure to address combined sewer overflows in Alexandria. Additionally, wastewater projects at the WRRF will precede tunnel construction as part of the program.
- Preliminary and Primary System Upgrades - worth $81 million.
- Commonwealth Interceptor Upgrade Project - worth $68 million.
- Tertiary System Upgrades - worth $35 million. The project will include tertiary filters, settling tanks, and chemical dosing systems.
Click Here to See El Paso Water, Texas, CIP
Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation, Arizona, Planned Capital Program Increased By 10%
In the CIP covering the 2025-2030 fiscal years, Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation detailed plans to spend $456 million on capital projects, an increase of 10% from $414 million in its 2024-2029 CIP. The current CIP has 56 line items, compared to 59 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Increase For New and Ongoing Projects
Planned spending increased by 10%, incorporating funding for ongoing projects such as the WW - Sahuarita Wastewater Reclamation 8MGD Facility. Additionally, there are new projects underway, including the top priorities: WW - Bldg 4 Primary Clarifiers and WW - TRWRF Digester Facility.
Over $100 Million Planned For Wastewater Reclamation Facility
Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation has one line item valued at over $100 million and three at over $20 million. The largest line item is the WW - Sahuarita Wastewater Reclamation 8MGD Facility. Other line items include:
- WW - Interceptor Sahuarita - Green Valley - worth $34 million
- WW - Bldg 4 Primary Clarifiers - worth $30 million
- WW - TRWRF Digester Facility - worth $21 million
Click Here to See Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation, Arizona, CIP
Rancho California Water District Planned Capital Expenditure Decreased by 10%
In the CIP covering the 2025-2029 fiscal years, Rancho California Water District detailed plans to spend $303 million on capital projects, a decrease of 10% from $339 million in its 2024-2028 CIP. The current CIP has 125 line items, compared to 153 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Rancho California Water District’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Rancho Division Sees 27% Drop in Planned Spending Amid Completion of Fifteen Projects
All business area Planned spending in the Rancho Division decreased by 27% due to fifteen completed projects in the recent period.
Rancho California Water District Invests Over $100 Million in Resource Division Projects
Rancho California Water District has only one line item valued at over $50 million and three at over $10 million, all belonging to the Resource Division. The largest line item is the Vail Dam Remediation - New Construction, worth $95 million. This project involves the construction of the structural remediation of Vail Dam, which has been determined necessary to satisfy seismic and hydrologic mitigation measures. Other line items include:
- Pauba Valley Well Nos. 178 & 179 (Construction) - New - worth $13 million.This project will consist of the construction of two (2) new wells (Well Nos. 178 and 179) in the Pauba Valley region of the Temecula Valley Groundwater Basin (Basin).
- Pauba Valley Well Nos. 180 & 181 - Well Construction - worth $13 million. This project will consist of the construction of two (2) new wells (Well Nos. 180 and 181) in the Pauba Valley region of the Temecula Valley Groundwater Basin (Basin).
- Vineyards Reservoir (1305 PZ) (Construction) - worth $11 million.
Click Here to See Rancho California Water District, California, CIP
Catawba County, North Carolina, Planned Capital Spending Increased By 73%
In the CIP covering the 2025-2029 fiscal years, Catawba County detailed plans to spend $185 million on capital projects, an increase of 73% from $107 million in its 2024-2028 CIP. The current CIP has 54 line items, compared to 167 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Catawba’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Solid Waste Spending Increases, Schools Decreases
Planned spending in the Solid Waste category increased significantly by 424%, primarily due to the addition of General Operating Expenses, totaling $18 million. The Water and Sewer category also experienced a $45 million increase, attributed to funding for the Hickory-Catawba WWTP Future Expansion. However, the Schools category saw a decrease of 31% due to the completion of 49 projects scheduled for FY 2024.
Catawba County's Major Investments: Schools and Water Infrastructure
Catawba County has four notable line items valued at over $10 million. The largest line item is the Newton-Conover City Schools: N-CHS Phase II and Drainage Pipe Repair, under the Schools category. Another $18 million is also planned for the Hickory City Schools - Hickory High School Renovations, and an additional $13 million is allocated for the Catawba County Schools - Maiden Elementary School. Lastly, $12 million is planned for the Hickory‐Catawba WWTP Future Expansion project, under the Water and Sewer category.
Click Here to See Catawba County, North Carolina, CIP
Notable M&A
The following M&A transactions in the Water and Wastewater Industry stood out in the month of June:
- On June 5, 2024, NW Natural Water Company, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northwest Natural Holding Company, has agreed to acquire all the interests of Infrastructure Capital Holdings (ICH), which includes the assets of Puttman Infrastructure (Puttman). The acquisition will add approximately 4,200 water, wastewater and recycled water customers across Oregon, Idaho and California, expanding to an expected 19,000 connections at full buildout.
- On June 11, 2024, Azuria Corporation, a leading provider of infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation and technology-enabled water solutions, announced the acquisition of Infrastructure Services Group (ISG) LLC, a firm that acquires and funds private companies that specialize in inspection, repair and rehabilitation of water and wastewater infrastructure systems. The acquisition includes the purchase of ISG partner companies, including Mr. Rehab, Green Mountain Pipeline Services, and Inland Waters.
- On June 24, 2024, Groundworks®, the nation’s leading foundation and water management solutions company, announced its expansion into Southern California with the acquisition of EagleLIFT in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
What We Are Reading
Here are some recent articles our team has been reading:
- NW Natural Water acquires Puttman Infrastructure and ICH, expands into California market
- EPA and Puerto Rico Authorities Announce Funding to Enhance Bayamon’s Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Austin, Texas, approves $1 billion investment into wastewater treatment facility
- Cobb County, Georgia, spills over 12 million gallons of treated wastewater
- Portland, Maine, Water District joins wastewater class action lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers
- Biden administration invests $242 million in Western water infrastructure amid severe drought
- Maine’s largest water district sues manufacturers over 'forever chemicals'
- President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to Provide $37 million to Reduce Flooding, Protect Water Quality in San Diego
- Illinois awards $41 million for water and sewer infrastructure upgrades
- Water utility trade groups to take legal action over EPA’s PFAS rule
- WRF funds 26 new water research projects worth $5.9 billion
- Western states receive $142 million for water projects under infrastructure law
- Tyco Fire Products to pay $750 million in proposed PFAS settlement impacting public water systems
- Seattle & King County to expand wastewater treatment in new agreement with EPA, DOJ, Ecology
- Illinois awards $41 million for water and sewer infrastructure upgrades
- Tennessee awards $17 million for infrastructure, including water and sewer upgrades
- Chicago to invest $20 million in stormwater management projects following Midwestern flooding
- Tuolumne utilities district celebrates opening of new wastewater treatment facility
- 607,000 gallons of wastewater spills from Hawaii treatment plant
- The U.S. EPA and Puerto Rico announce funding for wastewater treatment plant
- San Diego to upgrade stormwater infrastructure, reduce flooding with $37 million investment
- Minnesota town wastewater spill leads to long-term repairs
- New Jersey American Water to invest $50 million over 10 years to improve Salem’s water, wastewater infrastructure
- Stantec to lead phase 2 of San Diego’s Pure Water program
- Howard County, Ma., breaks ground on “massive” underground stormwater tunnel project
What Top U.S. Environmental Companies Blog About
To stay abreast of industry marketing trends, we regularly review blogs of the nation's top consulting and construction firms. These are some notable customer-focused blogs in June.
AECOM and Aquatech to Deliver PFAS Destruction with DE-FLUORO™ Technology
Summary: On June 4, 2024, AECOM published a blog announcing its partnership with Aquatech to deploy DE-FLUORO technology for PFAS destruction. This collaboration aims to address the urgent global need for effective PFAS remediation solutions. DE-FLUORO technology is designed to safely and efficiently break down PFAS compounds in water and soil, offering a sustainable approach to managing these persistent contaminants. The partnership intends to leverage AECOM's extensive environmental remediation expertise and Aquatech's innovative water purification technologies to scale up deployment across various contaminated sites. This initiative comes at a crucial time as regulatory pressures and environmental concerns surrounding PFAS continue to grow.
Black & Veatch Water Report: Data, Cybersecurity and Resiliency Planning Hold Promise for Water Industry Amid Aging Workforce, Climate Change
Summary: On June 4, 2024, Black & Veatch published a blog to launch its 2024 Strategic Directions: Water Report, emphasizing critical challenges and opportunities in the global water industry. Released annually, this report assesses emerging trends and technologies shaping water management strategies worldwide. It provides insights into the industry's evolving landscape, highlighting the impact of climate change, regulatory shifts, and technological advancements on water infrastructure. The report also addresses the growing importance of resilience and sustainability in water projects, underscoring the need for innovative solutions to address aging infrastructure and water quality issues.
Modular Solutions, Predictive Modeling Good Steps Toward Managing Drinking Water Contamination
Summary: On June 7, 2024, Black & Veatch discussed the importance of modular solutions and predictive modeling in managing drinking water contamination. It emphasizes the role of these technologies in enhancing the resilience of water systems against various contaminants, highlighting their effectiveness in early detection and mitigation efforts. By implementing modular solutions, utilities can adapt more quickly to changing conditions and address contamination issues proactively. The article suggests that predictive modeling allows for better understanding and forecasting of potential threats, enabling utilities to prioritize resources and preventive measures efficiently. It also stresses the significance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and continuous improvement of these technologies.
Archer Western Powers Ahead On The Expansion Of Arcadia Lake Water Treatment Plant
Summary: In June 11, 2024, WALSH Construction discussed the progress on the expansion of the Arcadia Lake Water Treatment Plant. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the project aims to increase the plant's capacity to meet growing water demand in Edmond, Oklahoma. Archer Western emphasizes the use of advanced technology and sustainable practices to enhance operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. The expansion includes the construction of new treatment facilities and upgrades to existing infrastructure, which will enable the plant to process more water while maintaining high standards of water quality. This project is crucial for ensuring reliable water supply to the community and supporting future growth in the region, aligning with efforts to enhance infrastructure resilience and service delivery.
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 July and August 2024
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Name Organization |
Name Meeting |
Date Start |
Date End |
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Water Environment Federation |
2024-07-15 |
2024-07-17 |
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National Association of Clean Water Agencies |
2024-07-23 |
2024-07-26 |
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Water Finance & Management |
2024-08-06 |
2024-08-07 |
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Water Environment Federation |
2024-08-12 |
2024-08-13 |
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Design-Build Institute of America |
2024-08-21 |
2024-08-22 |
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American Water Works Association, Kansas Section |
2024-08-27 |
2024-08-27 |
Early Bird Registration
- Event: WF&M Water Finance Conference
Dates: August 6, 2024 - August 7, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: July 12, 2024 - Event: AWRA Joint Water Resources Conference
Dates: September 30, 2024 - October 2, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: August 01, 2024 - Event: AWWA Water Infrastructure Conference & Exposition
Dates: September 8, 2024 - September 11, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: August 08, 2024 - Event: CA - NV AWWA Annual Fall Conference
Dates: October 21, 2024 - October 24, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: August 19, 2024 - Event: AWWA WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition
Dates: September 24, 2024 - September 26, 2024
Deadline for Early Registration: August 23, 2024
Call for Papers
- Event: AWWA Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition
Dates: February 24, 2025 - February 27, 2025
Deadline for Early Registration: July 18, 2024 - Event: AWRA Spring Conference
Dates: April 28, 2025 - April 30, 2025
Deadline for Early Registration: August 22, 2024