Education
EPA allocates over $20 million to support water utility worker training
The water industry is facing wide-spread shortages of qualified workers due to expected retirements, needed investments in the nation’s infrastructure, and new technical and scientific skill sets required to operate and maintain these systems.
Plastics Pipe Institute launches online course for underground infrastructure professionals
The course is based on requirements of the updated industry standard AWWA C904-22 Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pressure Tube, 1/2 Inch Through 3 Inch for Water Service, the ANSI-approved standard for PEX tubing intended to deliver potable water into homes and buildings.
Underground construction enters the virtual reality universe
(UI) — The Super Witch is incredibly popular, and at CONEXPO, the Metaverse offered a chance for people to put on the VR headset, pick up the corresponding hand controllers, and find themselves inside the cab.
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.
GPRS launches new safety initiative to address aging water, wastewater infrastructure
(UI) — Ground Penetrating Radar Systems LLC (GPRS) has announced a new safety initiative designed to help municipalities and facilities regain control of their water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure. Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week (WSDAW) will run Oct. 23-27, 2023.
Tackle turnover with training
HammerHead Trenchless provides in-field, online or on-campus training for customers who use HammerHead and Picote products in the field.
Currently at CUIRE – Annual update of research center’s activities
(UI) — Pipe deterioration is a complex process, involving a combination of aging, chemical and environmental factors. Polymeric SAPL is a new application to structurally renew deteriorated gravity and pressure pipelines and can be applied to a wide range of concrete, masonry, corrugated metal, and steel pipelines.
AGA Chair sees future shaped by education, innovation
(UI) — Sitherwood, who plans to retire from Spire this December, sat down with Underground Infrastructure to discuss her career, her outlook for the natural gas industry and her work as the 2023 chair of the American Gas Association (AGA).
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.
Vortex Companies launch Vortex Tap Cutting Institute to improve sewer rehabilitation process
Located at the Vortex Products facility in Greenville, South Carolina, the Tap Cutting Institute features a fully functional robotics simulator to teach individuals how to cut taps without the risk of damaging pipe or liners.
Ditch Witch, Heavy Equipment Colleges of America to boost workforce development with new HDD training
Course materials cover everything from proper PPE and jobsite preparation to the importance of traffic control and equipment inspection procedures. Participants will receive hands-on training in mud mixing and drilling, along with HDD tracking and locating.
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).”
United Rentals to offer free online trench safety sessions
Trench Safety Stand Down is a North American initiative focused on trench and excavation hazards and reinforcing the importance of using trench protective systems and protecting workers from trenching hazards.
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.
Fiber Broadband Association expands state broadband resources with Workforce Development Guidebook
(UI) — FBA’s Workforce Development Guidebook notes that, according to the government’s calculations, 150,000 telecom jobs will be created by BEAD, while research by the Fiber Broadband Association estimates the industry will need over 205,000 new jobs in the next five years to construct, operate, and maintain these new networks in every state.
NERP partners with Ohio Stormwater Association for industry certifications
Through this partnership, OSWA members will have access to certain NREP certifications at a reduced rate, including the Certified Environmental Stormwater Compliance Professional (CESCP) certification.
HDD Association to hold free mud training school
(UI) — The recently formed Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) will hold its first industry training session on May 18 at the Doubletree Hotel adjacent to Love Field in Dallas.
CIGMAT 2023: Infrastructure, energy, geotechnical, flooding, sustainability issues
(UI) — The 28th “Infrastructure, Energy, Geotechnical, Flooding and Sustainable Issues Related to Houston and Other Major Cities,” organized by the Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT) and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston on was held back in March, at the University of Houston Hilton.
Fiber Broadband Association digs into microtrenching’s ability to close the digital equity gap
(UI) — The new Fiber Broadband Association white paper explores multiple fiber deployment styles, including microtrenching, horizontal directional drilling, plowing, conventional trenching, and missile boring.
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.
North Carolina lawmakers propose $2 billion investment plan for water, sewer projects
Rep. Dean Arp, a Union County Republican and one of the chief budget writers, said the House plan includes $3.6 billion on infrastructure investments over the next two years, along with $2 billion for local and regional water and sewer system projects.
Registration open for 17th ASCE UESI/BAMI-I Utility Investigation School
(UI) — The Buried Asset Management Institute – International (BAMI-I) and ASCE’S Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI) Pittsburgh chapter have teamed to conduct the 17th ASCE UESI/BAMI-I UIS School in 2023.
NYU, BAMI form 18th Utility Investigation School for aspiring utility professionals
This short course will give practitioners the knowledge and tools to provide competent utility investigations in accordance with accepted national standards and to defend against claims through this knowledge and its documentation.
Volvo CE breaks ground on $6.4M training center
Volvo Construction Equipment broke ground on a new $6.4 million technician training center at the company’s North American headquarters in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.
NUCA releases updated trenchless tech manual
The National Utility Contractors Association released its updated “Trenchless Construction and New Installation Methods” manual.
CGA announces Tristan Brown as keynote at 2022 CGA Conference & Expo
Common Ground Alliance announces Tristan Brown, deputy administrator of PHMSA as the keynote speaker of the 2022 CGA Conference & Expo.
Brown and Cadwell is awarded $100K grant to study energy optimization
Brown and Cadwell is awarded a grant to study energy optimization through the “Developing a Framework for Quantifying Energy Optimization Reporting” project.
ARA Foundation awards $128,500 in scholarships
The American Rental Association awards 66 individual scholarships to attract talent to the equipment and event rental industry.
Registration opens for CIGMAT 2022 Conference
The one-day conference will cover current and proposed projects for 2022-2023 in the Greater Houston area and other major cities along with panel discussions covering critical industry topics.
PCCA Announces 2022-2023 Scholarship Program
PCCA opens its scholarship program for the 2022-2023 school year.
- Tackle turnover with training
- Beyond drilling: Total Boring's commitment to excellence
- Directional drilling: HDD Hall of Fame Class of ’24 announced
- New permitting provisions in budget bill slight natural gas industry
- Biden restores states' and tribes' authority over waterways, including gas pipelines
- Editor's log: Liberty in retreat
- Geotechnical Conditions And How They Relate To Pipe Bursting
- Five Factors To Consider Before Selecting A Crawler Or Wheel Excavator
- Two Cities Add HDPE for Reliable Water Infrastructure
- Caltech research reveals underground fiber optic cables as effective earthquake detectors