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The Kansas City, Mo., Water Services Department recently issued wastewater revenue bonds at a historically low interest rate of 2.86 percent, which will enable Water Services to perform $75 million in improvements associated with sewer rehabilitation, sewage treatment plants, pump stations, disinfection, sewer force mains, interceptor sewers, storm drainage, and green infrastructure improvements.

A New York Times editorial, Cracks In the Nation’s Foundation”, notes that,  “The need for investment in public works, never more urgent, has become a casualty of Washington’s ideological wars.” Read more in this December 8 editorial.

Twin Falls, Idaho, Council to form a citizen advisory committee on infrastructure.  Twin Falls is now at a critical point in its history where it will be forced to turn away new and expanding businesses and new subdivisions because it cannot provide water and wastewater capacity.

More efficient use of water may save utilities $12.5 billion a year, funds that may be used for infrastructure improvements and to offset some of the scarcity issues that affect at least a third of the world’s population, according to the report, Water 20/20: Bringing Smart Water Networks Into Focus report commissioned by the utility infrastructure company Sensus.

Global Water Technologies (OTC Pink: GWTR) has partnered with the Buried Asset Management Institute-International (BAMI-I) to test new solutions for aging water infrastructure. Global Water Technologies is introducing a patented new system from Europe that uses multi-parameter sensors and software to reduce water loss in drinking water systems.

Failing Systems

Kalamazoo, MI: A water main break Wednesday afternoon at a busy intersection prompted closure of one lane. Officials were unsure whether the repair would take 5 or 15 hours, depending on the size of the pipe and severity of the break.

Salisbury, MD: A water main break left 43 homes in Salisbury temporarily without water until the pipe could be repaired.

Columbia, SC: The City of Columbia Water Works issued a boil water advisory for portions of the Columbia area due to a six inch water main break, which could result in bacterial contamination of the water.

San Diego, CA: Three water main breaks caused problems for residents across San Diego County Tuesday, December 4. Roads were shut down, sink holes popped up and residents were temporarily without water and plumbing in North Park, El Cajon and La Mesa.

Washington, DC: Four apartment buildings and 5 embassies were without water throughout the day December 4 due to a water main break. The District of Columbia experiences about 400 water main breaks a year. The average pipe age in DC is 77 years, though some pre-date the Civil War.

Lowellville, OH: 400 customers were without water due to a water main break on Wednesday, December 5.

Lawrencville, PA: At least two homes in Lawrenceville were filled with water Thursday December 6 after a water main break occurred around 6:30 a.m. One home experience at least a foot of standing water.

Portland, OR: A break in a 12-inch water line flooded a stretch of Park Avenue tying up the morning commute. Water was running down the sidewalk and then spilling out into the road, where water was about a foot deep in low spots.

Anderson, County, SC: A water main leak shut down the Clemson University for a day as well as the surrounding area because of low water pressure. A boil water alert was issued for the school.

Atlanta, GA: Crews repaired a massive water break in southwest Atlanta on Wednesday, December 5, which sent water several feet into the air before it was fixed.

Randallstown, MD: When the eight-inch main burst, it sent a torrent of water down Lucerne Road in Randallstown. The water carried tons of mud with it collapsing a portion of the road, creating a 20-ft.-2ide by 12-ft.-deep sink hole. 43 area residents lost water service.

Allamuchy Twp., NJ: Schools were closed in Allamuchy Township on December 7 after the water was shut down because of a water main break in the area. The contractor repairing the pipe said the break could have been caused by vibrations in the water because the water pressure is high in the area.

Westport, CT:  An early morning water main rupture on Wilton Road shut down the road all day December 6 while crews made repairs. The road was reopened very early Friday, December 7.

Philadelphia, PA: A busy block of Walnut Street in Center City could remain closed for days as crews work to clean up a broken water main.   A Philadelphia Water Department spokeswoman said the 12-inch water main broke around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, cutting off water service to at least 20 businesses and residents.

Commack, NY: A Huntington Highway Department worker discovered a water main break early Monday morning. The 12-inch ruptured water main sent thousands of gallons of water into local neighborhood streets.

Philadelphia, PA: A weekend water main break on a busy Center City street is still impacting businesses, and motorists. It’s bad news during a busy holiday season. The water main break happened Saturday. Water poured onto the popular shopping spot, closing down Walnut between 16th and 17th streets and slowing down shoppers.

Granada Hills, CA: Two water mains ruptured Monday, damaging cars streets and one home in the San Fernando Valley. The four-inch main broke through the pavement so forcefully it made a seven-foot hole in the ground and smashed through the windshields of several cars, one of which was flooded, according to officials. The second break was a six-inch main that caused some street damage some street damage  .

Watertown, MA: A water main ruptured on Spring Street in Watertown on Monday morning, damaging the road and several private driveways, said Superintendent of Public Works Gerald Mee.