Mary Scott NabersWater resource issues are of high concern throughout America. A research report presented recently to member of Congress urged immediate attention to America’s critical water issues. The report outlined states with the greatest immediate concerns. Not surprisingly, California and Texas topped the list. Idaho, Arizona, Utah and Mississippi were next in line followed by Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Not only are there concerns about adequate water resources, just last year the EPA has sent out a nationwide warning after federal inspections revealed that 70% of U.S. water systems do not fully comply with safe drinking water standards. Another significant issue is that many U.S. water systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Many cities, counties and states are already launching projects to modernize, expand and upgrade water systems. The following upcoming projects provide good examples of what can be expected throughout the country in 2025.
City officials in Greenville, Texas, are planning to invest $90.5 million in a second water treatment facility to address increasing water demands, ensuring adequate infrastructure to support the regions’ growth. Key components of the project will include building the main treatment facility structure, developing the site’s infrastructure, installing treatment equipment and constructing water intake and distribution systems. The facility will be designed for future scalability to meet further increases in water demand. The project is still in the planning and design phase.
A new wastewater treatment plant for the San Carlos Apache Tribe in Arizona has been planned to replace the outdated facility now serving the reservation. The current plant was built in the early 1980s, and it can no longer meet demands. A $34.7 million project is being designed to include construction of a new influent pump station to manage incoming wastewater flows efficiently. Installation of screening and grit removal systems will eliminate solids and inorganic materials during preliminary treatment. Primary clarifiers will facilitate the settling of suspended solids and advanced biological treatment processes, such as activated sludge systems, will be implemented for a secondary treatment function. Filtration and disinfection units will be incorporated, and other systems will be established as well. Additionally, a centralized control building and laboratory will be constructed for operational controls and testing. Finally, backup generators will be installed to ensure uninterrupted operation during power outages. The project has secured full funding and solicitation documents are expected soon.
Officials with the city of Ashland, Kentucky, have announced a $78.4 million wastewater treatment plant project which will ensure compliance with EPA mandates and accommodate future growth. This project’s other objectives include ensuring efficiency and safeguarding public health. The plant’s expansion and upgrades will feature several key components including the installation of advanced treatment technologies to improve nutrient removal and meet stricter water quality standards. Infrastructure upgrades will also involve replacing aging equipment, adding new processing units to handle increased wastewater volumes and implementing energy-efficient systems to reduce operational costs. Additionally, the project will enhance flood resilience by elevating critical structures and incorporating protective barriers to safeguard the facility against extreme weather events. The project is currently navigating the permitting review process while the design team works on final planning documents. As soon as both are completed, solicitation documents will be released.
A $25 million water treatment plant project in Weldon, North Carolina, will be launched in 2025. The existing water treatment plant is no longer adequate. It has been in operation since the early 1930s and the last major upgrades were made in 1980. It utilizes the Roanoke River as its water source and has a capacity of only 2 million gallons of water per day. The objective of the new facility will be to enhance water quality and provide reliable drinking water services to residents. It will be designed for advanced treatment processes to remove harmful current and emerging contaminants. To enhance resiliency against flooding, the plant will be strategically located above the 500-year floodplain to provide even more protection for the surrounding area. City leaders will select a private sector partner to deliver the project. Solicitation documents are planned for mid-2025 or earlier if the planning and design work is completed sooner.
