Ports to benefit from new US water bill

The US Congress has approved America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, which includes national water resources development plans and the authorisation of U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s resource projects.

“This legislation invests in the critical water infrastructure we don’t see every day, but that American families in every state rely on, such as drinking water systems, dams, reservoirs, levees and ports,” said Tom Carper, Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member, US Senate.

Port development

For example, the new bill will help quicken the efforts to deepen the Delaware River and the shipping channel at the Port of Wilmington.

Because it will increase the height limit for dredge spoils from 10 feet to 35 feet, it should dramatically increase the speed of the excavation process ensuring that the port, operated by Gulftainer, can be expanded sooner.

Gulftainer is looking to spend $410 million to construct a new container port facility at Edgemoor and is devoting another $170 million to upgrading the existing facility.

Away from port infrastructure, the bill will free up federal funds for water projects, including post-Harvey wetland restoration, the U.S. EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and hydropower projects.

Other funds could go towards the deepening of Savannah Harbour in Georgia and replacement of the Chickamauga Lock on the Tennessee River.