Technology
CIPP, tunneling pioneer Robert “Bob” Affholder passes
A pioneer in trenchless rehabilitation and boring/tunneling, Robert "Bob" Affholder passed away Friday, July 26.
GDC secures $16 billion for Hudson Tunnel project, set to create 95,000 jobs
The Gateway Development Commission has finalized the funding needed for the Hudson Tunnel Project, securing a total of $16 billion. The HTP, a major underground infrastructure project, will replace and expand the aging rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River.
Milwaukee to build $13 million facility for advanced wastewater tech testing
The $13 million lab will test new wastewater treatment technologies and is expected to significantly impact public health and drinking water quality worldwide.
Editor’s log: The road to rehab intensifies
The 1970s marked a revolution in underground infrastructure with the birth of cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) technology, allowing pipe repairs without excavation. This innovation, alongside other trenchless methods, has transformed the industry and continues to drive efficient solutions for aging infrastructure.
Leica Geosystems launches new underground utility locator
Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, announced the launch of the Leica DD300 CONNECT utility locator and Leica DA300 signal transmitter, a combined, ready-to-use solution for versatile and reliable underground utility detection.
Pennsylvania township receives $6 million to rehabilitate 25,000 feet of sewer main
The $5.8 million project involves rehabilitating or replacing nearly 25,000 feet of sewer main with new sanitary sewer pipes and manholes. It is scheduled to begin on October 1 and be completed by May 30, 2025.
VIAVI Solutions launches NITRO Fiber Sensing asset management solution for critical infrastructure
VIAVI Solutions Inc. launched NITRO Fiber Sensing, an integrated real-time asset monitoring and analytics solution for critical infrastructure ranging from oil, gas and water pipelines to electrical power transmission, border/perimeter security and data center interconnects.
Bay Village, Ohio, begins sewer testing to improve system
Duke’s Root Control Inc. has been contracted to carry out the testing in six areas selected based on historical data, recent surveys, and the Ohio EPA's work with the Rocky River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Bechtel to oversee tunnel construction in $12.7 billion BART Silicon Valley extension
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has awarded Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation a contract to manage construction of the Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Silicon Valley Phase II extension.
Construction begins on new water pipeline project in Kyle, Texas
At over 20 miles in length, Segment C marks the final segment of the Alliance Water transmission system to begin construction and is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2025.
Tech Tips: Documenting quality lateral lining installations
(UI) — With CIPP lining of mainline sewers becoming more and more accepted by system owners and utilities, greater attention is being paid to the opportunities to reduce infiltration and inflow (I&I) by utilizing CIPP lining for laterals.
Judge blocks Department of Labor's expanded Davis-Bacon rule
(UI) — A federal judge has blocked the Department of Labor's new rule expanding the Davis-Bacon Act, siding with the Associated General Contractors of America in their lawsuit.
Orinda rehab project uses eco-friendly geopolymer to restore aging culverts
Orinda used GeoTree Solutions’ GeoSpray 61 geopolymer mortar to rehabilitate aging culverts, protecting local streams and drinking water. The eco-friendly solution allowed for quick stream flow reinstatement with minimal environmental impact.
New Products
Discover the latest innovations in construction equipment with McElroy's Tritan 560, integrating advanced features for enhanced efficiency and safety on the job site, alongside CASE's expanded lineup empowering crews with new models and upgrades.
United Felts launches new UV CIPP portfolio for trenchless sewer rehabilitation
This portfolio combines the strengths of United GRP and EnviroCure UV, offering comprehensive solutions for varied sewer rehabilitation needs with the unmatched benefits of UV-cured technology.
SewerAI raises $15 million to modernize North American sewer infrastructure with AI
Using SewerAI's platform, customers have been able to double the linear feet of inspections they're able to perform each day while increasing data quality and shortening turnaround times.
Henderson, Nev., to implement Arcadis digital asset management system for 500,000 water assets
Arcadis will support the migration of information from the City's legacy system to Enterprise Decision Analytics (EDA). The Arcadis team will load, configure, and build lifecycle models for their 500,000 water and wastewater assets with detailed strategies for reservoirs, HVAC, sewer mains, potable water laterals, and meters.
Jacobs to develop data-driven sewer strategy for Omaha
Jacobs was selected by the City of Omaha, Nebraska, in the U.S. to develop a real-time control decision support system for the city's wastewater collection network. Jacobs will provide design services and data solutions to develop a strategy that maximizes the use of existing assets while reducing combined sewer overflows.
Digital twin technology to help utilities navigate water management challenges, Info-Tech reports
With escalating global water concerns and the increasing urgency for effective water management, water utilities must accelerate their digital transformation efforts, says global research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group, in a recently published industry resource.
Chandler, Ariz., set to rehabilitate largest sewer line along Price Road
Chandler city officials have greenlit two contracts to overhaul the city's largest sewer interceptor, a massive 66-inch pipe running along Price Road. The conduit handles approximately half of Chandler's daily treated wastewater.
Macomb County uses drones, artificial intelligence to detect underground pipe defects in Michigan
The Flybotix drone and SewerAI software, costing $100,000, replace a more expensive and slower process. The drone captures high-quality video of underground pipes, which AI then analyzes to identify defects. This method removes human subjectivity, ensuring consistent data.
CIPP rehabilitation of pressurized pipelines
It is well known that CIPP has been around for over 50 years, primarily being used to rehabilitate gravity sewer pipelines. In the 1980s CIPP was introduced for low pressure sewer applications, and late in the 1990s began to emerge for water main and higher-pressure force main rehabilitations.
Newton, Iowa, advances sanitary sewer rehabilitation project
Identified through video camera inspections, sections of the city's sewer mains were found to be in dire need of repair, particularly in areas affected by groundwater infiltration or obstructed flow due to tree roots.
British Colombia to invest $34 million in underground utility improvements with trenchless technology
Innovative approaches are being employed to reduce costs and minimize disruptions, such as the use of trenchless repair technology for the Burtch Sanitary Trunk upgrade project. The rehabilitation project will repair 2.7 km of sanitary sewer pipe using Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) technology.
Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines
The webpage and map were created in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s requirements for water utilities to identify and make public the locations of lead service lines by October of 2024 and follows EPA best practices.
Tyler City Council updated on sewer system rehabilitations under Consent Decree
The City Council of Tyler, Texas, recently received a comprehensive update from Pipeline Analysis LLC regarding the ongoing and future rehabilitation plans for the city's sewer system as mandated by the Consent Decree.
Underground utility data management company Reveal launches new ground penetrating radar data analysis software
Underdots creates an intuitive, accessible point-cloud visualization from multi-channel GPR data in a matter of hours. Clustered dots plotted in 3D space show the intensity and depth of radar reflections, which can reveal the presence or absence of underground utilities in large areas,
Rehab spotlight: Lining systems
Discover leading solutions in sewer lining systems, including the Flow-120 Starter Package for compact spaces, the Bluelight LED CIPP system for faster curing, and MaxLiner's versatile CIPP technology. Explore the benefits of Reline America's thinner UV GRP liner and United Felts' top-tier CIPP liners and wet-out services.
Harnessing advanced technologies for underground engineering success
Underground construction endeavors are intricate, demanding meticulous planning, execution and risk management. With billions of dollars invested and millions impacted annually, the stakes are monumental.
Editor’s Log: And the smiles never stopped
In late March, UI wrapped another successful Underground Infrastructure Conference. Per usual, a wealth of information and market intelligence was gathered from remarkable speakers and experts in a variety of fields including sewer installation and rehabilitation, fiber optics, power, horizontal directional drilling, and safety.
- Deadline to submit abstracts for Underground Infrastructure Conference's 30th anniversary education program extended to July 19
- Drilling under the LSU campus
- OSHA investigation launched after worker found unconscious in Kansas City, Mo., sewer pipe
- 26th annual directional drilling survey: More fuel on the fire
- Restoring power to Minnesota’s northwest angle
- Vermeer Debuts New Horizontal Directional Drill
- Sewer maintenance: Myth-busting, best-practice training
- Berkeley pushes PG&E to bury power lines to mitigate wildfire risk
- Houston faces hurdles in transitioning to underground power lines amid severe weather concerns
- Calgary declares state of emergency over water pipeline repairs