Associations
NASSCO Standard Bearers: Andy Drinkwater
EDITOR’S NOTE: NASSCO just completed its 40th anniversary and continues to set standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. As the association continues its phenomenal growth, this series profiles those who have made significant contributions and impacted the cont..
DCA/AGA Workshop Dives Into New Issues, Workforce Development
The Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) and American Gas Association (AGA) recently held the Third Annual DCA/AGA workshop in Chicago. The workshop has grown in interest, attendance and in the range of issues addressed by a host of panels and speakers. These sessions discussed ways to improve..
INGAA Says Aspects Of New Methane Emission Limits Troublesome
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new rule requiring transmission pipelines to plug methane leaks at compressor stations includes some softening of earlier-proposed requirements, but will still impose substantial costs as companies move to repair leaks at new or modified compressors and co..
GTI Celebrates 75th Anniversary
The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) celebrates 75 years as a leading research, development and training organization addressing global energy and environmental challenges by developing technology-based solutions for consumers, industry and government. GTI has provided high-impact technologies and te..
AEM’s Sewer Cleaner Leadership Group Identifies Priorities
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) new Sewer Cleaner Leadership Group is one of approximately a dozen created in response to the association members’ needs for executive-level, product-specific groups dedicated to the resolution of technical, regulatory, legislative or market-related ..
CIGMAT 2016 Focuses On Further Advancement
The Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT) and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, hosted its 21st annual, one-day conference and exhibition on at the University of Houston, March 4. More than 330 individuals and 14 invited speakers..
Uniform Soil Groups For Pipe Installation
By Amster Howard, P.E. The language in pipe installation specifications should be as clear, concise and consistent as possible. The engineer often relies on American Water Works Association (AWWA) and American Standards of Testing and Measurement (ASTM) standards and manuals to prepare the project ..
NASSCO Standard Bearers: Ray Bahr, Jr.
I was born in Hamden, CT, and studied mechanical engineering at the University of Connecticut. In 1951, I joined the Air Force where I attended pilot training school. After serving three years as an Air Force pilot, I left the military and returned to Connecticut to work for my father, Ray Bahr, Sr...
$546 Billion Needed in U.S., Canada Energy Infrastructure Investment
The United States and Canada will require annual average midstream natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids midstream energy infrastructure investment of about $26 billion per year, or $546 billion (real 2015$) total over the 21-year period from 2015 to 2035, a new study finds. The report, “N..
Water Leaders Discuss Lead Line Replacements
More than 100 water utility leaders from across shared strategies for removing the lead service lines connecting millions of older homes to water mains at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2016. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) hosted the event during Drinking Water Wee..
New Pipeline Safety Proposal Contains Multiple New Requirements
Pipeline industry executives are pouring over the 500-plus page pipeline safety proposal from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), an effort that will take some time before informed comments can be made. The initial comment deadline is at the end of May. “The typical 6..
WEF, WateReuse Analysis Demonstrates SRF Benefits
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the WateReuse Association released a new economic benefits analysis on the impacts of increased funding for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), May 3, 2016. The analysis revealed a requested $34.7 billion of federal SRF spending ..
ARA Projects Revenue Growth for Equipment Rental Industry
The American Rental Association (ARA), which offers quarterly updates to its 5-year forecast for rental equipment industry revenue to reflect the most up-to-date economic factors, released its second quarter outlook, May 2. The total U.S. rental revenue in 2016 is expected to reach a record $47.9 b..
AWWA, Water Sector Celebrate Drinking Water Week
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and water professionals across the country kicked off Drinking Water Week, May 1. Throughout the week, AWWA and the water community will celebrate Drinking Water Week with the theme “Your Water – To Know It Is To Love It”. Recognizing the vital role water..
DCA 2016 Convention Draws Record Attendance
Coming off a strong year for construction, the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) attracted a near record attendance of 460 people to its annual convention in Naples, FL. The five-day meeting was filled with social events, networking opportunities and committee meetings such as HDD, Govern-..
Registration Opens For UESI/ASCE Pipelines 2016 Conference
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ newest institute, the Underground Engineering & Surveying Institute (UESI), will hold its annual Pipelines Conference in Kansas City, MO, from July 17 -20. This year’s conference is appropriately titled “Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Not Out Of Risk.” The Pipel..
Property Values Unaffected By Presence Of Pipelines, New Report Finds
The presence of an underground natural gas transmission pipeline does not affect the sales prices or value of residential properties, according to a new study, Pipeline Impact to Property Value and Property Insurability, conducted by Integra Realty Resources (IRR) on behalf of the Interstate Natural..
The DCA Safety Award: Building A Culture Of Safety
Each year the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) recognizes member contractors for achieving outstanding safety records the previous year. The DCA has been recognizing safe practices with the award since 1986. In recent years, about 85 companies have submitted entries. The award’s namesake,..
National Safe Digging Month 2016 One Call List
Whether you are a professional excavator, contractor, engineer or utility owner, you play an important role keeping people safe with every dig. Laws governing excavation vary by state, and they can be confusing. Answering the question, “Do I have to call 811?” can be difficult if you don’t understan..
INGAA, CEPA Boards Vote To Certify Pipeline Inspectors By 2018
The board of directors for the Interstate Natural Gas Association of American (INGAA) and INGAA Foundation, along with the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) and the CEPA Foundation, voted to endorse a program tailored to certify pipeline inspectors conducting work for their member companie..
John Nelson Played Significant Role in Establishing NASSCO Vision and Objectives
NASSCO Standard Bearers: John Nelson EDITOR’S NOTE: NASSCO just completed its 40th anniversary and continues to set standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. As the association continues its phenomenal growth, this series profiles those who have made significant..
NASSCO Celebrates 40th Anniversary Hawaiian Style
The National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) celebrated its 40th anniversary in style by holding their annual convention at the Sheraton Resort in Maui, HI. A record crowd of more than 200 attended the convention, enjoying warm weather, blue skies, sandy beaches and clear ocean water..
$3.2 million Approved for California Water Audit Validation
In an action approved by the California State Water Resources Control Board earlier this year, the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA) will receive $3.2 million over the next two years to assist California’s water agencies in producing validated system wate..
DCA Has Near Record Attendance in Naples
Coming off a strong year for construction, the Distribution Contractors Association attracted a near record attendance of 460 people to it’s annual convention in Naples, Florida. The five day meeting was filled with social events, networking opportunities, committee meetings (including the HDD, Gov..
INGAA Board Reiterates Commitments, Supports Adoption Of Industry Standards
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) board of directors voted to reaffirm the organization’s commitment to underground natural gas storage integrity and accelerate implementation of industry storage standards in February. In addition, the board voted to support the Pipeline and..
NASSCO: 40 Years Of Trenchless Rehab Leadership
by Robert Carpenter, Editor-In-Chief In 1976, a fledgling association was born to serve the rehabilitation sewer market. From those humble days, through many ups and downs, the National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) has grown into the leading trenchless rehabilitation organization..
PLCA President Expects Strong Near-Term Construction Market
By Jeff Griffin, Senior Editor It was business as usual in 2015 for the Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA) and its contractor members, said the association’s president, Frank Welch. “However, we believe that’s going to change,” said Welch. “We’re expecting a boom in 2016, and most members ar..
Momentum For NASSCO Initiatives Continues
by Jeff Griffin, Senior Editor It seems like every year is an eventful time for National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO), the national organization dedicated to improving standards relating to the assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation of underground wastewater infrastructure. ..
Vactor Announces AEM Participation
Vactor Manufacturing, a provider of vacuum excavators for utility, oil and gas, telecommunication and industrial water system applications, announced its participation in the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) Vacuum Excavator Leadership Group – a group formed to develop essential marketi..
New Year, Big Changes For UCTA
By Chantel Green, Associate Editor UCTA Training, Education From its inception in May 1992, the Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA) has been committed to educating and training its members on the use of traditional, trenchless and rehabilitation technologies, and promoting the u..
- 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