News Briefs: Village Fined in Sewer Worker’s Death

In this week’s news briefs, a village is fined for exposing a worker to deadly gases, Chicago will spend $119 million to rehabilitate its aging brick sewers, and Tennessee receives funding for infrastructure improvements.
News Briefs: Village Fined in Sewer Worker’s Death

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The Village of Torquay, Saskatchewan, was fined $30,000 plus $12,000 in surcharges after pleading guilty in Estevan Provincial Court for failing to take steps to prevent the exposure of a worker to hazardous gases, the Saskatoon StarPhoenix reports.

The incident happened on March 11, 2014, when sewer worker Kenneth Bjornson, 44, died after being exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas while in a confined space.

Source: Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Chicago to Rehab Aging Brick Sewers
Kenny Construction Company was awarded four sewer renewal projects by the City of Chicago for a sum of $119 million. The contracts are part of a multiyear program to rehabilitate the city’s aging brick sewers.

The project is funded by the City of Chicago and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2016 with an estimated completion date of May 2019. Kenny will be responsible for CIPP lining and CIPP structure lining for two years with a one-year optional extension.

Chicago has over 4,600 miles of sewer and renews approximately 50 miles of 8- to 48-inch-diameter sewer pipes and 5,000 sewer structures annually, according to a press release.

Source: press release

Tennessee Receives $60 Million for Water, Wastewater Improvements
State officials announced that five Tennessee communities have been approved to receive more than $60 million in loans for water and wastewater improvements, The Chattanoogan reports.

Low-interest loans were approved for drinking water projects in the cities of Cleveland and Fayetteville. The cities of Chattanooga, Franklin and Greenbrier received funding for wastewater upgrades.

The loans are channeled through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program. According to the Associated Press, both programs combined award more than $90 million each year to local governments.

“It is important for our communities to address current infrastructure needs and prepare for future needs,” Gov. Bill Haslam says. “The funds available through the State Revolving Fund Loan Programs help fulfill these needs while protecting public health.”

Source: The Chattanoogan, The Associated Press



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