Wastewater Digest

North Carolina officials have approved more than $215 million in funding for 66 drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects across 26 counties, with the majority supporting recovery and resilience efforts following Hurricane Helene. The funding, approved by the State Water Infrastructure Authority and administered through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, includes approximately $196 million for storm-impacted communities.

Non-revenue water (NRW) remains one of the most persistent challenges for water utilities worldwide. It combines lost production, lost revenue and accelerated infrastructure deterioration into a single operational burden. Globally, NRW is estimated at around 126 billion cubic meters per year, a volume that could supply roughly 800 million people. The associated economic impact is significant, with avoidable production and energy costs estimated at around USD 39 billion annually.

A new bill in the Minnesota House aims to explore how wastewater could serve as a renewable heating source for buildings, positioning the state to expand use of a technology already deployed in parts of Europe and North America. Sponsored by Rep. Larry Kraft, HF2317 would allocate $3 million from the state’s Renewable Development Account to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to study wastewater treatment facilities where heat recovery could be implemented.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced $30 million in new grant funding through its RealWaterTA initiative to support small drinking water and wastewater systems, particularly in rural communities. The funding will provide technical assistance and training, including engineering support, operational guidance, workforce development and financial management resources. It also aims to help private well owners improve drinking water quality.

Hundreds of water sector professionals are meeting with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., this week as part of the annual National Water Policy Fly-In during Water Week, urging Congress to take action on funding, PFAS, and affordability challenges.

A new study published in Nature Climate Change finds that greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater systems are being substantially underestimated in national inventories, with implications for climate policy and utility operations. The research, led by Princeton University scientists, analyzed wastewater emissions reporting across 38 countries and found that emissions of methane and nitrous oxide are underestimated by approximately 19% to 27%.

Over the years, Sandeep has worked in various areas across the water industry in design, plant operations, lab-scale, pilot-scale, and full-scale research, academia, technology development, and consulting. He brings this experience to his role leading Water Innovation and Technology for Stantec’s Water group.

Mounting public attention to biosolids as a potential route for contamination of soil and groundwater by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — so-called “forever chemicals” — is causing a rapid shift in the legal landscape. In the absence of federal action, state and local governments are moving ahead with diverse policies that impose different standards and requirements regarding biosolids. These differences may complicate compliance and impact corporate wastewater management practices.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has initiated a statewide assessment of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure in manufactured home communities, targeting systems that may be outdated or in disrepair. The effort, supported by U.S. EPA grants and State Revolving Fund financing, has identified more than 170 manufactured home communities across Delaware, including 98 with on-site wastewater treatment or disposal systems.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $4.8 million in financial assistance to the city of Pilot Grove to support upgrades to its wastewater treatment system. The project, estimated at $6.28 million and expected to be completed by May 2027, aims to improve water quality in Petite Saline Creek by reducing pollutant loads and untreated discharges.