June 2022 Vol. 77 No. 6
Editor's Log
I think it’s safe to say that most people in the underground utility and pipeline industry entered 2022 hoping for a strong rebound and return to a much sought-after normal year. Ironically, 2022 has proven to be a year beset by bizarre challenges, yet still sugar-coated with financial windfalls.
Business
Volvo Tailors Support for Customers’ Carbon Reduction Goals, Investment in Sewer AI Spurs Next Generation of Water Infrastructure Diagnostics, John Deere Unveils 2022 “Own It” Program and more.
Washington Watch
After more than a decade of considering whether pipelines should install automatic shut-off valves, PHMSA issued a final rule, although it fell short of what the National Transportation Safety Board wanted to see.
Features
Across North America, population booms are putting pressure on the capacity limitations of aging municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) Chairman Bob Breeden, ElectriCom, Inc., looked around the crowded ballroom at the opening session of the 77th Annual PCCA Convention, smiled, and thanked members for showing up in such strong numbers: 405 total and 250 primary attendees, more first-timers than ever before, and a record number of sponsors.
Directional Drilling
While never a simple market, the past two years have seen the complexity of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) reach new levels, due to both anticipated and unexpected problems.
Last winter, in bitterly cold temperatures and snowy conditions, Ellingson Contracting Inc. (ECI) completed a difficult, 4,075-foot-long horizontal directional drill (HDD) intersect crossing of a swampy area in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, to install 30-inch diameter steel pipe.
Rehab Technology
The Town of Wingate, N.C. Public Works Director Eugene Jones noticed two pump stations were running on average of four hours every day. However, during rain events, the pump stations would run up to 35 hours straight. After further inspection, Jones found that infiltration and inflow (I&I) was the cause of the long run times.
SAERTEX multiCom Opens New Production Facility and Hobas Launches $60-Million Capital Investment Program.
New Products
- Deadline to submit abstracts for Underground Infrastructure Conference's 30th anniversary education program extended to July 19
- Drilling under the LSU campus
- OSHA investigation launched after worker found unconscious in Kansas City, Mo., sewer pipe
- 26th annual directional drilling survey: More fuel on the fire
- Restoring power to Minnesota’s northwest angle
- Vermeer Debuts New Horizontal Directional Drill
- Sewer maintenance: Myth-busting, best-practice training
- Berkeley pushes PG&E to bury power lines to mitigate wildfire risk
- Houston faces hurdles in transitioning to underground power lines amid severe weather concerns
- Calgary declares state of emergency over water pipeline repairs