News Briefs: Two Workers Die in Colorado Trench Collapse

Also in this week's sewer and water news, a Pennsylvania developer allegedly steals $800,000 worth of water from utility

Investigators are determining whether any safety devices were in place at the site of a trench collapse that killed two workers in Colorado in mid-April.

According to the Fort Collins Coloradoan, 60 first responders worked seven hours in an attempt to rescue the men. The trench collapse occurred April 16 at the job site for a new housing development in Windsor. Small shovels and buckets had to be used due to the soil conditions.

The OSHA investigation into the incident is underway, but according to Windsor Severance Fire Rescue Chief Kriz Kazian, a trench box in the 15-foot-deep, 4-foot-wide trench was not present, though he was unsure if there were any other safety devices in place.

According to Fox 31 News in Denver, the wife of one of the victims has hired an attorney and plans to take legal action.

President Trump, Democrats Agree to Pursue $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan

President Donald Trump and Democratic leaders from the House and Senate say they’ve reached an agreement to pursue an infrastructure bill with funding up to $2 trillion.

“That was different than some of the other meetings that we’ve had,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters, according to The Hill. “This was a very, very good start. We hope it will go to a constructive conclusion.”

The infrastructure package — if Congress and the White House can find a way to pay for it — would fund improvements for roads, bridges, waterways and broadband Internet.

Pennsylvania Developer Allegedly Steals $800,000 Worth of Water

A developer in Reading, Pennsylvania, recently was accused of stealing $800,000 worth of water from the Reading Area Water Utility by using a magnet to slow a water meter’s movement.

The man was charged with felony theft of services and other offenses related to manipulation of water meters in the buildings he owns.



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