One problem that could end up costing $2 to $3 billion is New Jersey’s lead contamination issue. More than 1.4 million people are getting drinking water from systems that are testing above the government threshold for lead contamination, according to NJ.com.
Meanwhile, NJ Spotlight reports that the multibillion dollar figure is an estimate of what it will take to replace the state’s 350,000 lead service lines, which due to corrosion-control problems, are now leaching lead into customers’ drinking water.
Midwest Communities Still Working to Restore Water Service Amid Flooding
A number of towns and cities in the Missouri River basin are still working to restore drinking water service in the wake of historic flooding in the Midwest, and many of those communities remain under boil-water advisories.
The flooding has caused more than $3 billion in damage across Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The newspaper also reports that officials in Glenwood, Iowa, recently used a boat to visit and repair a well inside its water treatment facility to get the plant up and running. Another two of the city’s wells are still underwater.
EPA Announces $99.7 Million Loan for Miami-Dade Wastewater Upgrades
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Florida officials recently announced a $99.7 million loan to Miami-Dade County for wastewater infrastructure upgrades that aim to help protect the environment and create jobs.
The loan for Miami-Dade’s water and sewer department will help it build 14 injection wells in an effort to stop wastewater from discharging into the Atlantic Ocean.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says President Trump’s administration continues to demonstrate its commitment to helping address Florida’s unique water challenges. “These federal dollars being released by the EPA will be invested in critical water infrastructure upgrades and help protect the water supply for millions of Floridians for generations to come,” he says. “We continue to do our part at the state level to push for historic investments to protect and restore our environment and water quality.”
Akron, Iowa, Officials Urge Public to Stop Using Flushable Wipes
Reporters from KMEG News televised an image of a city employee pulling out a massive wad of so-called flushable wipes at a lift station in Akron, Iowa.
The public works department in Akron is urging its customers to stop flushing wipes due to the damage its causing the wastewater system. The city is spending as much as $1,800 every three months repairing problems caused by the wipes.
See the image of the wipes at Akron’s lift station in KMEG News report.
