Damage Prevention & Safety
Judge sets Aug. 1 as deadline for Flint’s lead pipe project
A judge has ordered Flint, Michigan, to replace any remaining lead or steel water lines by Aug. 1, the latest intervention after a series of missed deadlines. More than 10,000 pipes have been replaced, though at least 1,000 addresses still haven’t been inspected, according to the NRDC.
Common Ground Alliance issues “50 in 5” challenge to cut damages to buried utilities in half by 2028
(UI) – Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the national nonprofit trade association, has issued its “50 in 5” industry challenge to stakeholders with a goal of reducing damages to critical underground utilities by 50% in five years.
McElroy receives 'Sharp' award for commitment to workplace safety
(UI) — McElroy, the world's leading designer and manufacturer of thermoplastic fusion equipment, has been recognized for its commitment to workplace safety and its participation in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
PG&E curtails plan to bury over 3,500 miles of power lines in effort to reduce wildfires
(UI) — In order to reduce the risk of wildfires in the western United States, California-based electric utility and natural gas supplier PG&E Inc. has scaled back its plans to lay over 3,600 miles of power lines underground through 2026. Beginning in June, PG&E will be tried for manslaughter in connection with fire fatalities allegedly resulting from its overhead power lines, which were blamed for the deadliest wildfire in California history in 2018.
Cherne introduces the world’s largest test ball
(UI) — Cherne Industries, part of the Oatey Co. family of companies, has introduced its 72–120-inch Test-Ball Plug, which blocks flow in the biggest pipes in sanitary and storm sewer systems, up to 120 inches.
USIC names Richard Batelaan as new chief operating officer
(UI) — USIC, the leader in underground infrastructure damage prevention, has announced the appointment of Richard Batelaan as chief operating officer. Batelaan will report directly to president and CEO Mike Ryan and will lead the company’s operations, which span 48 states with a field workforce including over 10,000 locate technicians.
Plastics Pipe Institute publishes technical document on HDPE pipe use in seismic sensitive areas
(UI) — The Municipal Advisory Board (MAB) of the Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. has published a new technical document that provides data for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) water lines in earthquake-sensitive areas, the organization announced on Feb. 9.
EPA launches initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement in Wisconsin
The new program will provide targeted technical assistance services to help underserved communities in Wisconsin access funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and replace lead pipes that pose risks to the health of children and families.
Flint, Mich., and plaintiffs agree on new date to replace lead water lines
(UI) — After again missing the court-approved date for the replacement of lead water lines last autumn, the city of Flint, Michigan, and a group of plaintiffs who sued the city agreed to set a new timetable.
Hitachi parts warehouse damaged by tornado, 100 employees evacuated
(UI) — A world-class, 336,017-square-foot parts distribution center operated by Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc. was severely damaged on Jan. 12 when a tornado swept through Jackson, Georgia, the company announced on Jan. 25.
Georgia plant spills 100 million gallons of partly treated water
A wastewater plant in middle Georgia’s largest city spilled partially treated water into the Ocmulgee River after a series of equipment failures in December. WMAZ-TV reports that the Macon Water Authority’s treatment plant released more than 100 million gallons (378 million liters) of partially treated water into the river.
Japan eyes delay of Fukushima radioactive wastewater release
Japan has revised the timing of a planned release to the sea of treated but still radioactive wastewater at the Fukushima nuclear power plant to "around spring or summer," indicating a delay from the initial target of this spring, after factoring in the progress of a release tunnel and the need to gain public support.
EPA, TC Energy agree to clean up oil discharge from Keystone pipeline rupture
(UI) — TC Oil Pipeline Operations Inc. has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up the oil discharge that occurred Dec. 7 in Washington County, Kansas, as a result of a rupture in a section of the Keystone Pipeline.
Makeshift explosive discovered near south county sewer pump in St. Louis, Missouri
(UI) — Ten cans of spray paint were found taped around a firecracker within a device found behind a fence enclosing a Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) pump station in December, St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Two workers killed while installing sewer pipes in Texas
(UI) — In Texas, two workmen were killed in December while laying sewer pipes in a ditch more than two floors below ground, The Charlotte Observer reported. The workers were crushed under thousands of pounds of soil and rocks when a large portion of the excavation collapsed.
Deep freeze breaks pipes, creates water crisis across South
Days of freezing temperatures in Deep South areas that usually freeze for only hours are threatening dozens of water systems as burst pipes leak millions of gallons of water.
Water boil order issued for more than 2 million in Houston
More than 2 million people in the Houston area were under a boil order notice Monday after a power outage caused low pressure at a water purification plant, officials said.
Biden asks Congress for $500 million to modernize underground oil reserves
(UC) — In a document submitted to Congress, the Biden administration has requested $500 million from Congress to modernize the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve, Reuters reported. When petroleum is taken out and replaced, the hollowed-out, underground salt caverns where the SPR oil is kept may shift and need repair. The facility's steel pumps and equipment are moreover continuously blasted with corrosive, damp, salty air.
California sues over 'forever chemicals' that taint water
A lawsuit filed Thursday by the state of California accuses 3M, Dupont and 16 smaller companies of covering up the harm caused to the environment and the public from chemicals manufactured by the firms that have over decades found their way into waterways and human bloodstreams.
Burst sewage pipe adds to infrastructure woes at COP27
Attendees of this year's U.N. climate conference in Egypt found themselves stepping over streams of foul-smelling fluid Wednesday after a pipe or tank holding liquid waste appeared to have burst near one of the venue's main thoroughfares.
NTSB opens public docket for investigation into fatal Coolidge, Ariz. pipeline rupture
(UC) — The National Transportation Safety Board opened the public docket Thursday as part of its ongoing investigation of the fatal, Aug. 15, 2021, natural gas transmission pipeline rupture and fire near Coolidge, Arizona.
Natural gas pipeline fire in water SE of New Orleans
Federal agencies investigated a natural gas pipeline explosion that started a towering blaze in a lake southeast of New Orleans on September 8, 2022. Preliminary information indicates a barge broke loose from its mooring and hit the pipeline, according to the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
Asset Management: One Street at a Time
Trees have elaborate root systems that invade sanitary sewer pipes and can clog or block sewage flow. Roots are a primary cause of sewer system overflows (SSOs).
Partly treated sewage found running into Blackstone River
Environmental officials are urging residents to avoid a stretch of the Blackstone River after finding that sewage was leaking into the river from a wastewater treatment plant on Sunday.
Federal agency accepting applications for pipeline, natural gas infrastructure improvement grants
The program offers nearly $200 million in grants annually over the next five years to improve the safety of high-risk, leak-prone natural gas distribution infrastructure and create good-paying jobs, with an emphasis on benefiting underserved communities.
Spotlight: Manhole and Pipe Coatings
Spotlight: Manhole and Pipe Coatings
El Paso Water completes sewage clean-up at Rio Grande riverbend
El Paso Water and its partners have successfully completed the riverbed clean-up effort following the Frontera Wastewater Emergency.
Michigan city officials: ‘flushable’ wipes can back up sewer system
Officials in Tecumseh, Michigan, are echoing a warning given by community leaders across the country: wipes labeled “flushable” should not be flushed, as they can cause sewage blockages.
CA Gov. Newsom outlines $2B budget for water conservation
California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing $2 billion to spur clean energy projects across the state and bolster grid reliability, the Turlock Journal reported.
Nebraska law will advance proposed Colorado canal project
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a law Monday that will allow the state to move forward with plans to build a canal in Colorado to divert water out of the South Platte River because of fears about Colorado's increased water use.
- OSHA investigation launched after worker found unconscious in Kansas City, Mo., sewer pipe
- Emergency rehabilitation brings back Baltimore’s Back River outfall interceptor
- CIPP, tunneling pioneer Robert “Bob” Affholder passes
- Fatal Shawnee trench collapse linked to Oklahoma contractor’s repeated safety violations, OSHA reports
- OSHA cites contractor for fatal trench collapse in New Canaan, Conn.
- CIPP, tunneling pioneer Robert “Bob” Affholder passes
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Construction worker dies after being found unconscious in trench box
- Tennessee pipeline gets initial FERC approval despite environmental concerns
- Florence, S.C., to fund $537 million sewer, water upgrade with bonds and 5% rate hike