News Briefs: Maryland Utility Manufacturing Face Shields for Public During Pandemic

Also in this week's sewer and water news, community members in Edison, New Jersey, create an oversight committee to monitor their town's water utility

WSSC Water out of Maryland is reportedly partnering with a Baltimore-based company called We The Builders to construct and supply thousands of face shields for the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The utility is using an industrial grade 3D printer, which it purchased back in February, to help in the fight against the virus. So far, they’ve distributed more than 3,000 face shields, according to WJLA News.

Upgrades Planned For Tijuana River Infrastructure In Mexico

 As a result of efforts by the Mexican government’s interagency work group, the Mexican Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico (IBWC) has received 83.982 million pesos (about 3.6 million U.S. dollars) from Mexico’s National Water Commission (Conagua) to rehabilitate Pump Station CILA in Tijuana, Baja California. These resources represent the first payments from the plan announced by the Mexican government last October to address the problem of transboundary wastewater spills in the Tijuana River.

These actions are expected to bring about substantive improvements in the quality of life of residents of the border communities of Imperial Beach, California, and Tijuana, Baja California. Once this work is completed later this year, it is expected to reduce the volume of transboundary river flow to San Diego County, California, during the dry season by 70%. Tijuana River flow during the dry season consists primarily of treated and untreated wastewater so this reduction will benefit public health on both sides of the border.

Bureau of Reclamation Announces Title XVI Projects

The Bureau of Reclamation is providing $16.6 million to nine congressionally authorized Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse projects. This funding, part of the WaterSMART Program, is for the planning, design and construction of water recycling and reuse projects in partnership with local government entities.

“Title XVI projects develop and supplement urban and irrigation water supplies by reclaiming and reusing water,” says Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman. “These projects assist communities with new sources of clean water, which increases water management flexibility and makes water supply more reliable.”

For a full list of the projects and their descriptions, click here.

Community Members Create 'Edison Water Watch' to Monitor Utility   

A community association in Edison, New Jersey, recently created a new committee called Edison Water Watch to “monitor, advise and support” the town’s water and sewer utility.

“Our goal is to protect people’s water quality and their wallets,” Edison Water Watch chairperson Dawn Santana tells Patch.com. “This is not political, it’s personal. Over 12,000 South Edison property owners pay water and sewer fees for this new utility. Everyone pays taxes. Everyone wants clean, affordable drinking water and toilets that flush. It doesn't get more personal.”

Santana added that the community has concerns about water rates increasing, maintenance and repair delays and rusty water coming from faucets.



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