Water & Wastewater Market Recap, May 2024

The May 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.

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.

Santa Fe County, New Mexico, Planned Capital Expenditure, Increased By 132%

In the CIP covering the 2025-2029 fiscal years, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, detailed plans to spend $203 million on capital projects, an increase of 132% from $203 million in its 2024-2028 CIP. The current CIP has 53 line items, compared to 50 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Santa Fe County’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Business Areas Boom: Utilities Lead, Facilities and Housing Follow

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.

Agua Fria Village Sewer Expansion Stands Alone in Santa Fe County Budget

Santa Fe County, New Mexico has only one notable line item valued at over $10 million, which is the Agua Fria Village Utility Sewer Expansion, costing $15 million. 

Click Here to See Santa Fe County, New Mexico, CIP

El Paso Water, Texas, Planned Capital Expenditure Increased By 1%

In the CIP covering the 2025 fiscal year, El Paso Water, Texas, detailed plans to spend $609 million on capital projects, an increase of 1% from $606 million in its 2024 CIP. The current CIP has 248 line items, compared to 271 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down El Paso Water’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Water Category Spending Up 18%, Wastewater Down 16%

Planned spending in the Water category increased by 18% due to the ongoing Advanced Water Purification project, which rose by over $20 million. On the other hand, the Wastewater category decreased by 16% also due to ongoing projects nearing completion.

El Paso Water's Major Investments: $85M Wastewater Upgrade, $25M Water Purification Project

El Paso Water has two notable line items valued at over $20 million each. The Roberto R. Bustamante WRP Upgrades & Rehabilitation is the most significant, worth $85 million, under the Wastewater category. Another $25 million is planned for the construction of the Advanced Water Purification project under the Water category.

Click Here to See El Paso Water, Texas, CIP

Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, Wisconsin, Planned Capital Expenditure Increased By 18%

In the CIP covering the 2024-2029 fiscal years, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, Wisconsin, detailed plans to spend $275 million on capital projects, an increase of 18% from $233 million in its 2024-2028 CIP. The current and prior CIP has 63 line items. The table below breaks down Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Treatment Plant Funding Surges: Prioritizing Heat Power Enhancements

Planned spending in the Treatment Plant category increased by 84% with funding towards existing projects including Heat Power Improvements. Other areas decreased due to ongoing projects nearing completion.

Madison Metro Allocates $35 Million for Treatment Plant Upgrades

Madison Metro has three notable line items valued at over $10 million, all belonging to the Treatment Plant category . The largest line item is the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Electrical Service Equipment Replacement, worth $13 million. The project aims to upgrade the electrical infrastructure of the treatment plant by replacing outdoor service switchgear, transformers, busway system, and indoor distribution switchgear. The other two line items are East Blowers and Switchgear Replacement and West Blowers and Switchgear Replacement, both costing $11 million that will replace the east blowers and associated medium voltage switchgear. 

Click Here to See Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, Wisconsin, CIP

City of Milpitas, California, 19% Rise in Planned Capital Expenditure

In the CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, City of Milpitas, California, detailed plans to spend $244 million on capital projects, an increase of 19% from $205 million in its 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP has 148 line items, compared to 137 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Milpitas’ planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Sewer and Water Infrastructure Projects Drive Business Growth

Nearly all Business areas increased. The most significant increase goes to the Sewer Improvement category due to the new project, the Forcemain "A" Project. There is also a new project in the Water Improvement category, the construction of upsizing several water mains to deliver the recommended fire flow at surrounding fire hydrants, worth $6 million.

Milpitas, CA: Major Infrastructure Projects Valued at Over $20M

Milpitas has four notable line items valued at over $20 million. The largest line item is the San Jose/Santa Clara Regional WasteWater Facility overhaul, worth $30 million, under the Sewer Improvement category. Listed below are the other notable line items:

• Forcemain "A" Project - worth $26 million, under the Sewer Improvement category. This project provides for the assessment, design, and construction to rehabilitate or replace the existing sanitary sewer Forcemain “A”. 
• 2nd Santa Clara Valley Water District Water Reservoir & Pump Station - worth $25 million, under the Water Improvement category. This project provides for the design and construction of a 2.0 MG potable water storage reservoir including a pump station with a capacity of 4,000 gpm, and related improvements to serve Valley Water service area.
• Montague Pedestrian Overcrossing at Penitencia - worth $22 million, under the Street Improvement category. This project provides for the design and construction of a pedestrian overcrossing (POC) over Montague Expressway at the east levee of Penitencia Creek.

Click Here to See City of Milpitas, California, CIP

What We Are Reading

Here are some recent articles our team has been reading:

• Biden-Harris Administration Announces $3 Billion for Lead Pipe Replacement to Advance Safe Drinking Water as Part of Investing in America Agenda
• Pro-Vac strengthens Texas presence with Hydromax acquisition
• Industry warns of biosolids capacity crisis in Maine
• Portland, Maine, addresses PFAS in biosolids with advanced study
• Biden-Harris Administration Announces $41 million in Available Grants to Upgrade Stormwater and Sewer Infrastructure
• EPA Announces $39 million to Modernize Infrastructure in Illinois with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law from the Biden-Harris Administration
• New EPA Survey Highlights Wastewater Infrastructure Needs to Protect Waterbodies in Communities Across the Country
• Michigan's water infrastructure gets billion-dollar boost
• U.S. EPA proposes TMDL for PCBs for Spokane River
• CRW presents $450 million proposal to address sewage runoff crisis in Harrisburg, Pa.
• Biden-Harris Administration Announces $225 million to Improve Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure for Tribes and Alaska Native Villages
• More than $300 million in Brownfield Grants made available
• The U.S. EPA announces $25 million to help provide clean drinking water to disadvantaged communities
• U.S. EPA announces $18.9 million in funding to address PFAS in New Mexico
• Southern California to transform wastewater into drinking water with $99 million federal boost

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 May.

Water Asset Prioritization: Harnessing Data to Streamline Infrastructure Management

Summary: On May 13, 2024, Gannet Fleming published a blog discussing how water infrastructure maintenance involves significant challenges, particularly for aging systems with limited resources. The City of Norfolk, Virginia, and Virginia American Water have set benchmarks in water infrastructure management through data-driven and collaborative approaches. Partnering with Gannett Fleming, they prioritized assets based on criticality, risk, and impact, enhancing resilience and efficiency. Norfolk developed a comprehensive transmission main prioritization program using GIS technology, enabling effective capital planning and infrastructure monitoring. Similarly, Virginia American Water improved its management of pipeline renewals and emergency repairs by leveraging peer insights, streamlining contract management, and adopting advanced technology. Both case studies underscore the importance of strategic planning, collaboration, and continuous improvement in sustaining water infrastructure systems.

Construction Begins On Two-Phase Deer Valley Water Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project

Summary: On May 13, 2024, Gannet Fleming published a blog discussing how water infrastructure maintenance involves significant challenges, particularly for aging systems with limited resources. The City of Norfolk, Virginia, and Virginia American Water have set benchmarks in water infrastructure management through data-driven and collaborative approaches. Partnering with Gannett Fleming, they prioritized assets based on criticality, risk, and impact, enhancing resilience and efficiency. Norfolk developed a comprehensive transmission main prioritization program using GIS technology, enabling effective capital planning and infrastructure monitoring. Similarly, Virginia American Water improved its management of pipeline renewals and emergency repairs by leveraging peer insights, streamlining contract management, and adopting advanced technology. Both case studies underscore the importance of strategic planning, collaboration, and continuous improvement in sustaining water infrastructure systems.

AECOM To Provide Design And Engineering Services For The Clarkson Water Resource Recovery Facility In Ontario

Summary: On May 22, 2024, AECOM announced its selection by the Regional Municipality of Peel to provide design and engineering services for the expansion of the Clarkson Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) in Ontario. This third major expansion will increase the facility's capacity to 500 MLD by 2029, addressing the needs of the growing Greater Toronto Area population. Beverley Stinson, AECOM’s global Water business chief executive, expressed enthusiasm for leveraging their extensive expertise in water projects. The expansion will include a new standby power energy center and innovative solutions like enhanced biological phosphorus removal to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with Peel Region's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Richard Barrett, AECOM’s Canada region chief executive, highlighted their unique technical understanding from previous expansions. AECOM is also working on other projects in Peel Region, including the Clarkson Cogeneration Expansion and enhancements at other water treatment plants.

NYCDEP Selects CDM Smith to Chart the City’s Path to a Lead-Free Future

Summary: On May 23, 2024, the CDM Smith announced that it has been selected by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to manage the initial phase of its Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program in a $8.6 million, 3-year contract. CDM Smith and Trinnex will implement strategies and data management systems for future phases, overseeing the replacement of approximately 3,500 lead service lines (LSLs). Using Trinnex's application, leadCAST, DEP will streamline field replacement processes and protect public health from lead. The LSLR program is voluntary and relies on extensive public outreach, aiming to replace an estimated 134,000 LSLs citywide. CDM Smith's experience in large urban projects in Newark, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., contributed to their selection. 

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  June & July 2024

Early Bird Registration

• Event:  KYTN-AWWA Water Professionals Conference
  Dates: September 8, 2024 - September 11, 2024
  Deadline for Early Registration: June 17, 2024
  
• Event:  WF&M Water Finance Conference
  Dates: August 6, 2024 - August 7, 2024
  Deadline for Early Registration: June 18, 2024