November 2021 Vol. 76 No. 11
Business
BUSINESS
Xylem’s ‘Smart Sewer’ Exceeds Requirements, Saves Money, Improves Resilience
Global water technology company, Xylem, delivered the advanced “smart sewer” system that is enabling the City of South Bend, Ind., to exceed the requirements of a wastewater Consent Decree, reduce capital investment, and be more resilient.
In 2012, a Consent Decree addressed the City’s aging sewer infrastructure, which frequently overflowed, discharging millions of gallons of sewage and stormwater into the landmark St. Joseph River each year. The long-term plan developed was set to cost South Bend ratepayers $713 million in capital improvements.
Recently, however, the EPA declared a revised plan, based on Xylem’s “smart sewer” technology, provides “better protection at lower cost” – 60-percent, or $400 million, less than originally estimated.
The new plan optimizes the existing wastewater network via a monitoring system consisting of more than 165 sensors and software agents located throughout the City’s urban watershed, managing 13 automated gates and valves.
Real-time decision support technology enables the network to react to sudden wet weather events and avoid flooding by quickly moving flows to under-utilized parts. Operators receive overflow information via control room screens, smartphones and tablets, giving them the ability to override the system at any time, if needed.
In addition to the capital works savings, the system is delivering $1.5 million per year in reduced operations and maintenance costs. It’s also achieving greater environmental outcomes and level of service than originally required, with a dramatic 1-billion-gallons-per-year reduction in combined sewer overflow volumes and more-than 50-percent drop in E. coli concentration in the St. Joseph River.
“We are so pleased to be partnering with the visionary team at the City of South Bend, providing the digital innovation and insights to make this transformation possible,” said Patrick Decker, Xylem’s CEO. “Their hard work has now resulted in a ground-breaking outcome which will save every family in the city thousands of dollars while enabling them to enjoy a more beautiful St. Joseph River and have access to cleaner water more affordably.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Xylem, (914) 323-5700, xylem.com
Updated ANSI/AWWA C906 Defines, Elevates HDPE for Water
The fifth edition of the newly updated American Water Works Association (AWWA) C906-21 standard further clarifies the proper use and manufacture of PE4710 high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pressure pipes and fittings.
The revisions are another step forward in the water industry’s increasing use of HDPE piping systems, according to Camille George Rubeiz, P.E., F. ASCE, Co-chair, HDPE Municipal Advisory Board and the Senior Director of Engineering, Municipal and Industrial Division of the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI).
“The goal of C906 has always been to provide the gold standard … of high-performance HDPE (i.e., PE4710) pressure pipes and fittings from 4 to 65 inches, for waterworks with pressure classes (PCs) ranging from 100 psig to 335 psig, operating at temperatures up to 80 degrees F,” Rubeiz stated.
“Removing non-PE4710 resins from the scope and throughout the standard is certainly another vote of confidence for PE4710 and the updated standard provides those specifying pipe with a thoroughly vetted standard to use.”
According to C906-21, “the [HDPE] pipes and fittings are primarily intended for use in transporting potable water, wastewater, and reclaimed water in either buried (open-cut and trenchless), marine or aboveground installations. In addition, “for PE4710, the PC calculations include a safety factor [SF] > 2 relative to the allowed operating stress,” and “the SF for Occasional Surge Pressure is > 2.”
The standard cautions that matching the ID of other pipe materials to the ID of HDPE for flow and PC will yield incorrect results and, instead, recommends using PPI-PACE (www.PPIPACE.com) in such situations.
Additional information is available on the PPI website, by selecting the “Divisions” tab, then “Municipal & Industrial” and C906-21 in the “Applications” section/box.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Plastics Pipe Institute, (469) 499-1044, plasticpipe.org
Michels Acquires J.D. Hair & Associates
Michels Trenchless, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Michels Corporation, acquired J.D. Hair & Associates, a top trenchless engineering firm.
Brownsville, Wisc., based Michels, a premier, international provider of trenchless construction services, is known for continuously advancing the possibilities of safe, environmentally sound underground utility line and product pipe installation. Michels Trenchless has an extensive, global resume of successful projects and is recognized as one of the most experienced horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and Direct Pipe contractors.
J.D. Hair is known for its engineering services on HDD and Direct Pipe installations, including some of the most significant and challenging utility line projects ever completed. The team’s areas of expertise include design, analysis, site investigation, construction monitoring, and consulting services.
Operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Michels Trenchless, Inc., J.D. Hair will continue to partner with Michels, while also working independently with customers, to deliver innovative, safe, and technically sound design and engineering solutions.
“This partnership advances trenchless construction,” said Philip Michels, senior group vice president of the Trenchless subsidiary. “Combining Michels’ unmatched technical abilities with J.D. Hair & Associates’ design expertise will redefine the potential for safe trenchless construction projects.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Michels Corporation, (920) 583-3132, michels.us
Yanmar Expands its North American Dealer Network
Yanmar Compact Equipment, headquartered in Japan, has expanded its network in North America, adding 15 dealer locations in six states.
New dealers are Mid Country Machinery with one location in New York; Woodco Machinery with three locations in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island; Alta Equipment Company with three locations in Michigan and three in Florida; and Quality Equipment and Parts with one location in Florida.
Also, existing dealer partner ROMCO Equipment Co. in Texas, added three new locations.
“These new partners are exactly what we’re looking for. Each one shares our values of dependability and reliable customer service –
the things that will help provide the best possible experience for our customers and represent
our brand well,” said Dave Gannon, director of channel development for the Yanmar brand.
The new dealers and locations now offer full lines of Yanmar’s powerful, dependable and efficient mini excavators, tracked carriers and wheel loaders. This includes the latest ViO series of true zero tail swing compact excavators. High-end model, ViO55 (photo, above), complies with environmental regulations and assures low fuel consumption, is easy to maintain, and has an array of advanced functions.
Articulated wheel loaders feature premium versatility in a compact, nimble package, allowing for easy navigation in tighter spaces. Its tracked carrier lineup provides the high-flotation, low ground pressure capability to productively operate in difficult-to-access, muddy conditions, while minimizing ground disturbance.
Yanmar Compact Equipment is part of Japan-based Yanmar Group., a leading global player in the industrial machinery industry. With four production plants in Japan, France, Germany, and the U.S., Yanmar Compact Equipment delivers a range of construction products and services to the global market.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Yanmar Compact Equipment, (770) 877-9894 (U.S.), yanmar.com
Cross Country Infrastructure Services
crosscountryis.com
Cross Country Infrastructure Services, Inc., a leading equipment rental and supply company, opened its newest location in Belle Fourche, S.D. This facility will support construction companies throughout the Mid-West and Rocky Mountain Regions with equipment and consumable needs.
Cross Country’s rental fleet has a large variety of earthmoving, lifting, padding, pumps and other specialty equipment from top manufactures such as Caterpillar, Wolfe, Terramac, Scaip and many more.
In addition, the company is ready to supply any construction project with tools, materials and consumables from top brands like Milwaukee, Dewalt, Greenlee Electric Tools, 3M, and others. Cross Country also has the capability to provide on-site supply trailers which are convenient and time-saving solutions to increase productivity on the job site.
PPI
Plasticpipe.org
PPI has produced several new and updated publications for use in the design and installation of plastic pipe and conduit systems. All are available on the PPI website, downloadable free of charge, by selecting the “Publications” tab on the home page, then “All PPI Publications.” Further, specific navigation for each publication is provided below.
The Power & Communications Division (PCD) updated and expanded Chapter 14, “Duct & Conduit,” of PPI’s Handbook of Polyethylene Pipe, with information specific and unique to designing and working with HDPE.
Now totaling 70-plus pages, with more than 25 figures and 10 tables, this chapter is the industry’s most comprehensive introduction to conduit, as well as a peer-reviewed, authoritative reference.
“This is PPI’s most downloaded document for HDPE conduit, with more than 1,000 downloads a month,” said Patrick Vibien, P, Eng., director of engineering for PCD.
From the website’s “All PPI Publications” page, choose “Manuals & Design Guides,” then Handbook of PE from the list, and “Chapter 14.”
A new Technical Report (TR-19) details the unique chemical-resistance factors that determine a pipe or fitting ‘s suitability for use in a particular fluid (such as potable water, hydronics and sanitary sewer) or gas application.
Chemical Resistance of Plastic Piping Materials contains sections on pipe and fitting materials (CPVC, HDPE, PA, PE-RT, PP-R, PP-RCT, PVC, and PEX), product design and joining systems, operating conditions, types of chemical attacks on plastics, and more. The main table lists the resistance of those materials to some 600 chemicals, from acetaldehyde to zinc sulfate, in various concentration levels.
This free report can be downloaded from the website’s “Publications/All PPI Publications,” by choosing “General Literature,” then “Technical Reports” and “TR-19.”
Also available at “General Literature,” but in the “Technical Notes” list, “TN-63” was released by the Power & Communications Division (PCD) to provide guidance on the appropriate selection of HDPE conduit, based on Safe Pull Strength (SPS), in order to prevent damage during installation.
Safe Pull Strength Calculations for Conduit (TN-63) provides the equations used to calculate SPS and reference tables of pre-calculated SPS values, for HDPE conduit. It applies to any pulled-into-place installation, including open trench and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) methods. Tables of SPS values are provided for industry-standard DR and Schedule wall types, up to 6 inches in diameter.
TN-63 also includes guidance on derating SPS. Installers can quickly look-up the appropriate safety factor of the conduit being used from the tables, derating it for elevated temperature conditions and time-under-tension considerations for use with an in-line tensiometer or in selecting the breakaway link with the correct rating.
Barbco
barbco.com
The Ohio Manufacturer’s Association (OMA) officially recognized and certified the newly formed Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership (SCMWDP) – its 14th such group.
This partnership is an industry-led, regional collaboration of manufacturers and other stakeholders who address the talent shortage in Stark County. SCMWDP was organized to ensure that manufacturers have a voice and an active role in identifying needs and solving the challenges related to attracting, hiring, training, and retaining a qualified workforce.
The focus is joining with other workforce development providers, programs, and initiatives in the county, aligning and supporting efforts, rather than recreating or duplicating what already works.
SCMWDP was formed through collective efforts by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Stark Economic Development Board and MAGNET, as the three neutral intermediaries. There are currently 24 Stark County companies actively engaged in the partnership.
Cherne Industries
cherneind.com
Cherne Industries, the industry-leading manufacturer of pipe plugs and testing equipment, and part of the Oatey Co. family of companies, launched its new website – a robust, easy-to-use hub for product information, customer support and application resources.
The website allows customers to search the brand’s full catalog – more than 700 Cherne products – including each product’s specifications, key features, FAQs and safety/instruction manuals. In addition to this technical information, as well as case studies and blogs, the website hosts online training opportunities and detailed, how-to videos.
Mobile-friendly and including sophisticated navigation with enhanced functionality, the website makes it simple for users to find the specific product they need across both the waterworks and plumbing categories.
Visitors seeking additional help or information can also communicate in-real-time with a Cherne expert using the “Ask a Tech” feature.
McMillen Jacobs
mcmjac.com
McMillen Jacobs Associates opened a new Pittsburgh office to better serve clients in the Western Pennsylvania area, where the firm has a long history of providing tunnel and underground engineering services.
The new office also further expands the firm’s growing Central Region presence, adding to its four existing regional locations in Cleveland, Columbus, Chicago, and Nashville.
McMillen Jacobs Associates specializes in delivering underground and water resources infrastructure, providing technical engineering design and construction expertise in the water, wastewater, transportation, transit, and energy/power industries.
Hensel Phelps
henselphelps.com
Hensel Phelps, which specializes in building development, construction and facility services, has acquired Fort Collins, Colo.-based Hydro Construction, a specialist in the construction of water and wastewater treatment facilities and related projects.
Hydro adds to Hensel Phelps’ established water/wastewater construction expertise and joins Hensel Phelps’ eight regional district offices, and the development and facility services lines of business.
Comments