Associations
Trenchless Technology Center continues to prosper, provide industry research
(UI) — The Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University had another busy year and its Industry Advisory Board (IAB) again hit an all-time high in 2023. Research activities were in full swing and in-person training even came back, with forums in Boston and Houston.
PPI presents Donna Stoughton with lifetime achievement award
(UI) — The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) presented Donna Stoughton with its Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her many years and vast contributions to the industry.
Plastic Pipes Conference Association celebrates 50th anniversary in September 2023
PPCA reports that it has one of the world’s largest databases of technical papers, starting with those presented during its first conference in the 1970s. This library includes nearly 2,000 documents, plus video recordings of recent conferences, all of which are available on its website for free.
NUCA upgrades utility job-site recording solution
NUCA-WINS is a software application allows authorized users to quickly report a variety of job-site events, such as injuries, utility strikes, employee illnesses, near misses, property damage, and safety observations in real-time, utilizing both iOS and Android devices.
Fiber Broadband Association honors industry leaders at Fiber Connect 2023
This year, Brendan O’Boyle from Preformed Line Products (PLP) won the 2023 Photon Award, and Northern Colorado Community Fiber won the 2023 Star Award. S&N Communications won the Gene Scott Education Award, and Stephen Hardy won the Fiber Lifetime Achievement Award.
Fiber Broadband Association President wins 2023 Chairman’s Award for advancing fiber deployments across U.S.
Among many FBA successes to date, Gary Bolton’s leadership has expanded fiber broadband’s public policy influence, workforce development initiatives, FBA’s research library, and FBA membership—more than doubling it in less than three years.
Common Ground Alliance opens Call for Proposals for underground utilities conference
The 2024 CGA Conference & Expo, set to take place April 14-18, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colo., is the damage prevention industry’s premier event, bringing together distinguished experts and decision-makers for a week of focused collaboration and innovation designed to address the industry’s most pressing challenges.
SUE Association to hold national subsurface utility engineering conference in September
Formed in 2018, the SUE Association has worked to educate and inform the user community about subsurface utility engineering, grow the SUE market, and promote best practices in the delivery of professional SUE services through ASCE 38-22.
Nominate now for the UI Awards
(UI) — Nominations for the second-annual Underground Infrastructure Awards (UIAs) are open. The Awards are a fantastic way to celebrate innovations and individuals that made a significant contribution to the market within the past year.
Registration open for 19th ASCE UESI/BAMI-I Utility Investigation School
(UI) — The Buried Asset Management Institute – International (BAMI-I) & the ASCE’S Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI) have teamed to conduct the 19th ASCE UESI / BAMI-I UIS School in 2023.
Broadband Forum, Fiber Broadband Association partner to advance fiber broadband capabilities
With a common focus on developing and educating the broadband industry on best practices, the agreement will combine the Fiber Broadband Association’s strong background and expertise in fiber advocacy, research, education, and member and community resources with Broadband Forum’s technical strengths in best practices, interoperability, certification, and standards.
Plastics Pipe Institute presents industry veteran with Lifetime Achievement Award
During her 20-year affiliation with PPI, Donna Stoughton served and chaired numerous technical and other committees, and was featured in PLASTICS NEWS as one of the “Women Breaking the Mold.”
Nominations for Underground Infrastructure Awards are open
(UI) — Underground Infrastructure will present the second-annual Underground Infrastructure Awards (formerly Underground Construction Awards), an event celebrating innovations and individuals that have made significant impacts on the diverse underground markets.
Utility Broadband Alliance reaches 100-member milestone
CenterPoint Energy, Duke Energy and Lower Colorado River Authority are the newest utility members to join the utility-led Alliance, which incorporated in 2021 and seeks to help accelerate utilities’ journey toward a more secure, resilient and future-proof grid.
BAMI-I to present first-ever Global Buried Asset Management Congress for underground infrastructure industry
This congress aims to advance the science and practice of asset management in the underground infrastructure industry, with a main focus on the water and wastewater sector and other utilities that have buried assets.
NAXSA, industry groups form OSHA alliance to enhance worker safety
The Alliance, called Partners for Safe Trenching and Excavation Operations, includes a formal Agreement among the organizations to “provide their members/associations and the public with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect workers by reducing and preventing exposure to trenching, excavation, shoring, and other ‘Focus Four’ hazards and addressing equipment related issues, as well as understand the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).”
American Business Water Coalition launched to support water infrastructure investment
(UI) — The American Business Water Coalition (ABWC), established to address the critical need for more federal investment into our nation’s water infrastructure, officially launched on June 13. The coalition provides businesses with a platform to urge Congress to increase investment in water infrastructure and ensure access to safe, reliable and affordable water for all.
Vacuworx to support Folds of Honor nonprofit with new initiative
With a shared commitment to aiding those in need, Vacuworx is wrapping the lifting equipment to raise awareness, simultaneously pledging to donate a minimum of 10% of the proceeds from the rental or sale of these pieces of equipment to Folds of Honor.
BAMI-I unveils plans for first-ever Global Buried Asset Management Congress
This congress aims to advance the science and practice of asset management in the underground infrastructure industry, with a main focus on the water and wastewater sector and other utilities that have buried assets.
CUIRE to host 4th annual Texas Utility Engineering and Surveying Conference in July
The conference, taking place July 26-27, 2023, will include a keynote presentation, three concurrent tracks, and exhibits from companies throughout the industry.
University of Houston hosts industrial water forum focusing on energy efficiency, decarbonization
The May 4 hybrid event – offered virtually and in-person – will offer participants tools, strategies and examples for attaining energy efficiency and decarbonization in both existing manufacturing plants and new facilities.
HDD Association hosts complimentary mud training school
(UI) — The business meeting will begin at 9 a.m., on May 18, with an introduction as to the purpose and direction of the association. All utility and pipeline professionals with core or related HDD business are encouraged to attend. The program will be complimentary to HDD personnel.
UESI to present two new awards at annual Pipelines Conference
The Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI) will present two new awards to gain more recognition for the work of UESI members at this year’s Pipelines Conference. These include Project of the Year and Young Member of the Year.
NAXSA announces “Shore Up for Safety” week to support National Construction Safety Week
(UI) — The North American Excavation Shoring Association (NAXSA) has timed its inaugural Shore Up for Safety week to support National Construction Safety Week, which is held May 1-5, 2023.
DCA launches new workforce campaign ‘Success Looks Like This’
(UI) — Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) is launching an alluring new workforce initiative — ‘Success Looks Like This’ — a campaign designed to showcase underground utility jobs for what they are: well-paying, personally fulfilling career opportunities.
Washington Water Service finalizes acquisition of Bethel Greenacres Water Association
(UI) — Following approval by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) in February 2023, Washington Water Service—a subsidiary of California Water Service Group—has closed the acquisition of Bethel Greenacres Water Association’s water system assets.
Business News
Seven months after a fire damaged a significant section of the new Huntersville, N.C. production facility, it was fully operational again, with an expanded product range and capabilities to better support installers in the trenchless rehabilitation of sewer, water, stormwater and industrial pipelines.
DCA President Kevin Parker Puts His Passion into Processes
(UI) — While management systems and operator qualification programs might seem like dull fare from a distance, these processes have proven essential to improving the safety, quality and consistency of construction projects. Parker’s passion and decades of experience at Mears made perfect timing for his term as president of the Distribution Contractors Association, whose safety management system template and operator qualification integrity process ranked among DCA’s top priorities in 2022.
Business News
Super Products LLC celebrates a major milestone this year. Over the past 50 years, it has grown from a small manufacturing company to a nationally recognized supplier of vacuum trucks.
Pipe Liners Club of Tulsa Celebrates 75th Anniversary, History of Service
(UI) — The Pipe Liners Club of Tulsa (PLCT) recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. Tulsa’s Mayor G. T. Bynum marked the occasion with a proclamation acknowledging PLCT’s many contributions to the city’s economy and culture.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- The EPA announces $6.2 billion in funding for Iowa and Kansas water infrastructure