A 36-inch water main recently burst in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, causing area basements to flood, shutting down businesses and triggering a boil-water advisory that has since been lifted.

Dozens of vehicles underground in a nearby parking garage were submerged in water, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that some citizens in an adjacent apartment building claimed they could smell gasoline from the submerged vehicles.

Crews from the city’s water division rushed to the scene to shut off valves and stem the tide, but not before half a city block had been flooded.

For images and video, see the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s article.

California Governor Proposes $5.1 Billion Water Package

California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently proposed a $5.1 billion package of immediate drought response and long-term water resilience investments to address immediate emergency needs, build regional capacity to endure drought, and safeguard water supplies for communities, the economy and the environment. Newsom’s proposal comes as part of a week-long tour highlighting the Administration’s comprehensive recovery plan tackling the most persistent challenges facing California.

“Shoring up our water resilience, especially in small and disadvantaged communities, is imperative to safeguarding the future of our state in the face of devastating climate change impacts that are intensifying drought conditions and threatening our communities, the economy and the environment,” says Newsom. “This package of bold investments will equip the state with the tools we need to tackle the drought emergency head-on while addressing long-standing water challenges and helping to secure vital and limited water supplies to sustain our state into the future.”

In addition to the $5.1 billion investment, the governor is proposing $1 billion to help Californians pay their overdue water bills.

EPA Administrator Tours Water Facility to Promote Infrastructure Investment

In other news, EPA Administrator Michael Regan recently visited the Chain of Rocks Water Purification Plant in St. Louis, Missouri, in an event meant to highlight the nation’s need for federal investments into infrastructure.

“We want to continue to ensure that these facilities provide good quality drinking water,” Regan said, according to Fox 2 Now. “We want to also strengthen the infrastructure to mitigate climate impact, as well as upgrades to be prepared for cyber threats, and also put millions of people to work.”