March 2012, Vol. 67 No. 3
Features
RehabZone Wows Again
The RehabZone completed another successful run at the 2012 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) held in San Antonio Jan. 24-26.
The RehabZone continues to be the only industry event that provides generic information about water and sewer rehabilitation technologies without reference to specific brands or products. The ’Zone has occupied a special section on the UCT exhibit floor for the past 10 years.
After exiting the 2012 RehabZone, Todd Kilburn, Precision Industrial Maintenance, Schenectady, NY, concisely summed up what the exhibits represent: “The RehabZone provides a good overview of the industry from the early days to today’s technologies.”
Every visitor interviewed praised the Pima County, Arizona Sewer and Pipe Artifacts Exhibit which again was the first section upon entering the RehabZone and organized by Jon Schladweiler.
The path through the ’Zone then featured technology stations covering the NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) and Inspector Training Certification Program (ITCP), closed circuit television (CCTV), bypass pumping, sectional CIPP lining, joint and seal repairs, water main lining, lateral lining, grouting, root control, manhole linings and coatings and emerging technologies.
Demos and challenges
This year’s RehabZone also provided an ideal forum to debut NASSCO’s new jetter video. This video provides basic instruction on the safe and efficient use of sewer jetting and cleaning equipment.
Next up was the live demonstration area which each day featured demonstrations, sponsored by LMK Technologies, Permaliner and Cues/Rapidview, that included CCTV pipe inspections, reinstating sewer laterals and cured-in-place pipe technology.
The final stop was the Skills Challenge. “A new feature this year was the Skills Challenge,” said Dorcas Hermes, RehabZone chairperson. “We had challenge events for PACP coding and robotic pipe cutting. The event was well received.”
The PACP event provided an opportunity to code defects from video to meet PACP standards, added NASSCO Executive Director Ted DeBoda. “NASSCO intends to offer these training opportunities at no charge on the NASSCO website,” he added.
Near the exit was a display of the popular RehabZone t-shirts given each year to those who complete a trip through the stations.
What they’re saying
Several visitors shared comments about the RehabZone.
Steve Palmer, Hill Services, Memphis, TN: “Going through the RehabZone, I really loved the history lesson with exhibits and photos and I found a lot of information about products and technologies available today. Now I’m going to go to the various booths and get more technical information.” Hill Services is a contractor performing cleaning and relining work.
Kirk Obst, distribution systems engineering, Austin Water Utility, Austin, TX: “I enjoyed the RehabZone, particularly the exhibits of old pipes and system technologies that have taken us to where we are today.”
John Morgan, manager/special projects group, Citizens Energy Group, Indianapolis, IN: “Just came through the RehabZone. Very impressive! I learned much of the history about an industry I’ve been working in for years. I hadn’t really looked at the history before, and there is so much information about the way sewers were years ago and the equipment used then. There’s a lot of knowledge to gain, and the RehabZone continues to improve.”
David Fergens, Texas Water Development Board, San Antonio, TX: “The RehabZone is very informative with history going way back and how things have changed to the technologies we use now. Displays were great and provided excellent information.”
Larry Slaven, Ph.D., Outside Plant Consulting Services, Rockaway, NJ: “I’m an independent consultant, and I’ve been coming to UCT for years. I particularly enjoy going through the exhibits, and the RehabZone is always enjoyable. It shows the history of underground systems and as you go through the stations, you get a nice outline of repair and replacement methods.”
Information about the RehabZone is available on its new web site (rehabzone.org). Hermes said the RehabZone also has a Facebook page with news, photos and videos, and it has a presence on Twitter and LinkedIn.
The RehabZone is sponsored by NASSCO in cooperation with the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Trenchless Installation of Pipelines and Pipeline Infrastructure Systems technical committee, the Water Environment Federation’s Collection System Committee and Underground Construction magazine. It is funded by sponsoring organizations and participating companies.
As mentioned earlier, Hermes served as RehabZone chairperson. She is president of WBE Dorcas Inc. Guy Leslie, southern area sales manager for Rapidview, was co-chairperson of the ’Zone. It is the second year Hermes and Leslie have served in those capacities.
Planning already is under way for the 2013 RehabZone which is scheduled Jan. 29-31 in Houston. Daniel Magill of Avanti International is chairperson. Magill has been an active member of the RehabZone Committee for several years and served on the marketing sub-committee for the 2012 event.
FOR MORE INFO:
NASSCO: Heather Myers, (410) 486-3500, www.rehabzone.org
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