Manholes

A construction observer’s guide: From manhole rehabilitation to project management insights

A construction observer is the system owner’s representative on a construction project. Their primary responsibility is to thoroughly understand the project plans and specifications and be present on-site during construction to ensure adherence to these plans and specifications, safeguarding the owner’s best interests.

Underground fire disrupts fiber optic networks, closes key Baltimore facilities

An underground fire in downtown Baltimore led to a manhole explosion and disrupted critical fiber optic networks over the weekend, affecting thousands.

Azuria Water Solutions acquires trenchless utility firm Oxbow Construction

Azuria Water Solutions, the leader in technology-enabled water solutions, has announced the acquisition of Oxbow Construction, a trenchless utility company based in Troutdale, Oregon.

OSHA investigation launched after worker found unconscious in Kansas City, Mo., sewer pipe

A construction worker in Missouri was hospitalized in critical condition on July 8 after he was discovered unresponsive in a sewer pipe. Emergency responders arrived at Old Santa Fe Road and located the man inside a 15-foot manhole.

Tips for proper gas monitoring during manhole rehab

When it comes to manhole rehabilitaion, proper atmospheric testing and monitoring are essential to mitigate the risks to workers posed by toxic gases and hazardous atmospheres. Following these five best practices can help avert a needless tragedy.

Olds municipality makes strides in sewer, water system overhaul, targeting I&I challenges

Following an assessment last fall, which included a vapor test to identify inflow and infiltration (I&I) issues in the sewer system, significant progress has been achieved. Out of the 38 repairs identified during the test, 36 have been completed, primarily involving the replacement of manhole lids, inserts, and cleanout plugs at various locations.

PM completes large-diameter spray pipe rehab

(UI) — When PM Construction began a project in mid-March 2023 to rehabilitate two sewer pipes beneath the service road at Beltway 8 and Memorial, in Houston, the company had a November deadline. Working 24 hours a day, every day of the week, the project wrapped up in July – more than three months ahead of schedule.

Innovative solution for managing I&I challenges in sanitary districts

(UI) — A major challenge sanitary districts everywhere face is recurring and growing inflow and infiltration (I&I), from substantial amounts of groundwater and stormwater entering the sewer during periods of heavy rain. This issue is of paramount importance, as heavy rainfall can cause the intrusion of large volumes of groundwater and stormwater into the sewer system, overwhelming pump stations and treatment plants, and even causing costly sewer overflows.

Asset management: Working with Duke’s ‘like having a crystal ball’

(UI) — When optimizing sewer and wastewater treatment systems, it can be overwhelming to look at more than 100 miles of sewer pipe funneling heavy flow during a rain event and wonder where that excess flow is coming from.

Underground fire bursts through manholes, prompting evacuations in Colorado Springs

(UI) — An underground fire in downtown Colorado Springs early Monday morning led to evacuations and power outages as flames shot up through manholes, causing a significant disruption in the area.

Tech Tips: Structural Rehabilitation of Manholes

According to published reports, it is estimated that there are over 20 million manholes in the USA and many of them have reached or exceeded their expected service life.

Manhole Rehab Project – It’s Part of the Plan

Proactive Approach Provides Long-Term Solutions for Idaho Sewer District

Granite Awarded 5 Sewer Rehab Contracts in Chicago

Construction firm Granite has been awarded five sewer rehabilitation projects with the City of Chicago, part of the "Windy City's" $8 billion plan to upgrade its aging wastewater infrastructure.

Three Contractors Dead After Being Trapped in a Manhole

Three contractors died on Tuesday while working on a storm sewer project in Fort Wayne, Indiana after they became trapped in a manhole city officials said.

2 Contractors Found Dead in Sewer, Cause Unknown

Officials say two contractors working in a sewer about 30 feet below street level have died.

UCT 2019: ShowStopper Awards Presented to Stand-Out Exhibits at UCT

UCT 2019: ShowStopper Awards Presented to Stand-Out Exhibits at UCT

WinCan Manhole Module Streamlines Inspection, Compliance, Management

The new Manholes Module for WinCan sewer assessment and asset management software makes it easy for municipalities to integrate manhole inspection into their sewer management workflow. The module imports imagery and geometric data from automated manhole inspection equipment and gives the user powerf..

Massachusetts Police Arrest Man for Stealing Manhole Covers

WEBSTER, Mass. (AP) — Massachusetts police say they have arrested a man who stole seven manhole covers and put traffic cones in their place. The Telegram & Gazette reports the 46-year-old Webster man was arrested Friday and charged with larceny. Police say they first received a call around 2:45 p...

Gates Open, Delays at Newark Airport After Manhole Fire

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Officials at Newark Liberty International Airport are reporting progress at restoring service at one of its terminals after a manhole fire forced an evacuation. The problem prompted the evacuation of a section of Terminal C and caused significant delays at security checkpoints. ..

Multiple Manholes Catch Fire, Explode in Boston

BOSTON (AP) — Authorities say no one was hurt when multiple manholes caught fire and exploded in Boston. City fire officials say crews responded to the city’s Brighton neighborhood on Sunday morning for a report of a manhole explosion. Five Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority manholes were o..

Officials Try to Figure Out Why Roaches Swarmed from Manhole

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Water Department is trying to figure out what caused thousands of cockroaches to emerge from a manhole and swarm a neighborhood. Pat Wall tells WCAU-TV (http://bit.ly/2uE9Y1M ) that the bugs emerged Sunday night and have been invading her Bridesburg neighborhood..

Do Manhole Rehabilitation Technologies Perform as Expected?

Spending for manhole structure rehabilitation has grown due to increased deterioration and collection system infiltration control. It is important to understand how the manhole structure functions, and how the deterioration and corrosion mechanisms are affecting the structures. Should the structures..

SPIDER Manhole Inspection Scanner Provides New Perspective

CUES, a leading manufacturer of closed-circuit television pipeline inspection equipment, has introduced an innovative new wireless manhole scanning technology called the SPIDER scanner. The SPIDER scanner is the only truly wireless, color, manhole inspection technology in such a lightweight and com..

Poisonous Manhole Fumes Claim Lives of 3 Utility Workers

KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) — Three underground utility workers have died while investigating a sewage backup. According to Monroe County spokeswoman Cammy Clark, one of the men working for the county’s contractor, Douglas N. Higgins, went down a drainage manhole Monday morning to investigate why a newly ..

Officials Probing After Several Manholes Explode in Massachusetts Town

BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) — An electricity distribution company is investigating a series of manhole explosions in Brockton. Officials say firefighters found six manhole covers had blown off their bases early Monday. Fire shot up from the ground. At least two businesses had to evacuate. National Grid s..

Flex-Seal Utility Sealant From Sealing Systems

Flex-Seal Utility Sealant is a state-of- the-art plural component aromatic urethane with an incredible 800 percent elongation and a tensile strength of 3200psi. It is designed to prevent inflow/infiltration and to provide corrosion protection at the grade adjustment ring section or joint section. Fl..

Composite Manhole Ring, Cover Offers Watertight Sewer Solution

By Jeff Griffin, Senior Editor A new composite manhole ring and cover described as a key component in achieving a watertight sanitary sewer collection system, has been introduced by BlueGreen Municipal Solutions. The new Sewper Cover manhole ring and cover is made entirely of composite materials t..

Greater Houston Wastewater Program Uses Standard Cement’s Reliner MSP Cement To Protect Sewer Manhole System

The Greater Houston Wastewater Program has used Standard Cement’s Reliner MSP Cement with Geopolymer to protect its sewer manhole system against corrosion since 1990. The Green Technology Cement rehabilitates structures extending their serviceability and is verified by CIGMAT, University of Houston ..

SpectraShield’s Polymeric Lining System Protects Manholes and Wastewater Structures

SpectraShield is a unique, multi-layered, polymeric lining system created specifically to protect both new and existing manholes, plus large wastewater structures like lift stations, wet wells and other treatment facilities from infiltration and corrosion. Unlike other products that are hard and rig..

Raven Lining Systems Earns USDA Certified Biobased Product Certification and Label

Raven Lining Systems has earned the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label for its AquataFlex® 505 and 506 products. The USDA Certified Biobased Product Label verifies that the product or product familys amount of renewable biobased ingredients meets or exceeds levels set by USDA. Biobased prod..