December 2009 Vol. 64 No. 12

As executive director of the industry's leading trade association, I've been honored to learn and grow in this important role during the past eight years. Our industry is still considered young and watching it grow has been exciting. As I look back, I think about all that has changed since I was a young sewer rat, literally getting down and dirty to learn on the job.

Members of Congress are raising concerns about the prospective failure of cities and counties to spend appropriated stimulus funds for wastewater and drinking water projects, a concern top Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials say is justified.

During the World Gas Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in June 1997, representatives of U.S. gas utilities asked members of Karl Weiss Technologies, Berlin, Germany, whether they could develop a special fabric hose rehabilitation system for gas services featuring 90 decree elbows.

Hobas Pipe USA is celebrating 25 years of providing corrosion resistant Hobas pipe made of centrifugally cast fiberglass reinforced polymer mortar (CCFRPM) for sewer and water system pipeline infrastructures in North America .

For the first time in its nine-year history, demonstrations will be part of the RehabZone at the 2010 UCT Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition, better known simply as UCT.

Sharewell LP, a leading supplier to the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry, quietly recognized its 25th year in business doing what it has always done: helping its clients complete successful directional drilling installations.

New to UCT iin 2010, the Damage Prevention & Safety Conference (DPSC) is a two-day program focusing on preventing damage to underground utility infrastructure and reducing safety risks related to accidental strikes of buried pipe and cable.

Manhole Adjusting Rings are installed under the utility casting on new construction or rehab of existing utilities.

The MaxiBend Tactical Fiber Optic Cable series features an ultra-rugged construction, flexibility and bend resilience, in all kinds of outdoor temperatures and weather conditions.

Caterpillar equipment users can access low-cost environmental health and safety training online.

Containment Solutions’ non-corroding fiberglass rehabilitation manhole is designed to fit within an existing concrete, brick or pre-cast manhole -- installation has never been easier or faster.

The Spectrum Equipment Service System electronically collects asset-management data for a construction company’s heavy equipment.

HydraWrap is an FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) repair system engineered to restore or enhance the structural integrity of pipe and infrastructure.

A new attachment called the PowerAssist can make the McElroy PolyHorse even more efficient on a 3- to 20-inch jobsite.

The Breaker Bucket Model BB511 has been designed for the municipal and utilities market.

The RIDGID Press Snap soil pipe cutter provides a fast and easy way to cut cast iron soil pipe.

Rogers’ detachable and fixed gooseneck low-bed trailers meet the needs of specialized carriers.

TT Technologies has introduced a 3-ton winch to its line of Grundowinch hydrostatic constant-tension winches.

TT Technologies has introduced a trenchless method for replacing plastic, copper and steel services — the Mini-Grundotugger.

U.S. SAWS offers Bevellers that are uniquely designed to fit on a variety of “Quickie” saws and 5/8 to11 threaded right angle grinders.

The WEBAC P2020 is a single component, high-pressure, polyurethane injection pump.

The County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, California, has awarded a contract to SAK Construction of CA LP for the Los Coyotes Water Reclamation Plant Interceptor Sewer Rehabilitation Phase II project.

Case Construction Equipment is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its skid steer loader by announcing the winners of three new Case 430 skid steers and other prizes in a live webcast 1 p.m. Central on December 14.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers will conduct its annual six-day unreserved public auction at its Orlando, Fla., permanent auction site from February 15 - 20, 2010. A week prior, Ritchie Bros. also will be conducting a live benefit auction on Feb. 8 at The Rental Show with all proceeds from the sale benefiting the ARA Foundation.

The Tension Master TM 300 Series Pulling System is designed for cable installations that require precise control of cable pulling tensions and hauling speeds.

The Astec RT560 trencher comes standard with a six-way blade, outboard planetary axles, a heavy duty flywheel trencher, and four-wheel drive and steering.

Condux offers three types of made-to-order duct rod for light to heavy-duty applications.

The Ditch Witch 420sx vibratory plow offers walk-along and riding capability at 40 hp. A key feature is its dual-speed attachment drive.

Kiefer Industrial manufactures trailers to transport cable reels, coil pipe, stick pipe and utility poles.

The RR-160 single reels cable carrier from Roose Manufacturing has a payload weight of 6,000 pounds.

The installation of wind-energy farms has grown dramatically the past five years and so has the equipment to install these lines.

Bypass pumps from Gorman-Rupp, Thompson Pump, Godwin Pumps, Rain for Rent, Global Pumps and Griffin Dewatering.

The Astec RT1200 offers optional attachments like a trencher, vibratory plow, backfill blade, backhoe and rock saw.

The RT80 is a utility-based, fully hydrostatic trencher with a compact footprint and an 83 gross hp turbocharged diesel engine.

The Buckeye 9200 Magnum is tough enough to handle trenching chores from Fort St John, British Columbia to Texas and Oklahoma.

The new Vermeer RTX550 is the only 65-hp utility tractor available with an innovative rubber quad-track system.

Anyone looking for an acknowledgement in the new FERC strategic plan that the commission is focused on expanding pipeline infrastructure need not waste his time reading the 50-page document FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff issued in mid-October.

A Senate climate change bill passed in early November by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will probably be pushed aside by a version more acceptable to Republicans and moderate Democrats.

UCT offers a unique educational program specifically for those in the water works industry. The 4th Annual WaterWorks Conference offers a variety of new ideas and strategies throughout the one-day conference, which will be held on Jan. 19.

<a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/december-rehab-news-inland-acquires-tech-group-grout-boot-camp-jan-26-and-more?page=2#nu">Nu Flow enters exclusive distribution partnership with Flow-Liner</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/december-rehab-news-inland-acquires-tech-group-grout-boot-camp-jan-26-and-more?page=2#edina">Edina, MN, solves age-old manhole problem</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/december-rehab-news-inland-acquires-tech-group-grout-boot-camp-jan-26-and-more?page=3#aqua">Aqualiner’s New Pipe Lining Product Receives NSF 61 Certification</a>

A team from Tarlton Corp. installed a temporary diversion around a portion of a 96-inch influent pipe--believed to be only the second 96-inch diversion yet completed in the United States.

Advertisers in the print edition of Underground Construction, Vol. 64 No. 12.

This December brings one of the most disconcerting periods we’ve ever faced as an industry. There are so many factors impacting the underground infrastructure market that it is hard to grasp all the implications, let alone find solid direction for which to set course in 2010.

<a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/december-newsline-climate-change-costs-us-export-performance-and-more?page=2#report">Report estimates climate change adaptation costs, impacts to utilities</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/december-newsline-climate-change-costs-us-export-performance-and-more?page=2#december-newsline-climate-change-costs-us-export-performance-and-more#birm">Birmingham mayor found guilty</a>

Trent H. Ralston, 71, passed away on Nov. 9, at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua, NH. Ralston was founder and president of TRB Specialty Rehabilitation Inc. in Gambrills, MD, and held patents relating to a robotic sealing device.

MasTec has signed a $150 million deal to buy Precision Pipeline LLC, a Wisconsin company that provides infrastructure for natural gas and petroleum pipelines.

The Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA) and UCT teamed up to host a regional WaterWorks Conference at the University of Houston, Houston, TX, on Oct. 26-27.