Vortex partners with EBAA Iron on turnkey water main renewal system
Vortex Companies has announced a strategic partnership with EBAA Iron, a U.S. manufacturer of joint restraints for water and wastewater pipelines. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Vortex's ongoing mission to develop a comprehensive, turnkey watermain renewal system.

The announcement follows the successful launch of Vortex Water; the company's dedicated division focused on potable water solutions and the relaunch of UnitedBLUE™, the in-demand water CIPP liner solution. Together with EBAA Iron's Megalug joint restraints, the system now integrates a 100% American-made connection to support the rehabilitation and reconnection of aging watermains.
"This partnership represents a significant step up for water infrastructure rehabilitation," said Mike Vellano, CEO of Vortex Companies. "We're combining best-in-class trenchless technologies with proven American manufacturing to offer a solution that is not only effective and scalable but built entirely in the U.S."
EBAA's Megalug joint restraints are engineered to restrain broad range of water and wastewater pipe, whether above or below ground, and are suitable for nearly any application including valves, hydrants, and pipelines. Their integration into Vortex Water Solution Systems including UnitedBLUE™, ensures rapid, secure reconnection of rehabilitated pipes.
Vortex Infrastructure Services Inc. (formerly Foraction) is solely focused on watermain rehabilitation and has installed over 1 million ft of UnitedBLUE. "Our goal has always been to simplify and standardize the watermain renewal process," said JP Bedard, CEO of Vortex Infrastructure. "By combining the strength of our UnitedBLUE CIPP liner with EBAA Iron's Megalug restraints, we're providing a repeatable and reliable solution that municipalities can depend on."
The system features the UnitedBLUE CIPP liner, an NSF and BNQ certified product with a third-party tested 100-year design life, now coupled with the Megalug joint restraint for a complete solution. Together, these technologies offer a proven, repeatable, and predictable installation process that can help municipalities combat the estimated six billion gallons of treated water lost daily due to failing watermains.
"We're excited to partner with Vortex Companies and contribute to such a critical solution," said Chris Keffer, Vice President, EBAA Iron Sales. "Our Megalug restraint systems are designed to ensure long-term reliability and easy installation in the field, perfectly complementing Vortex Water's innovative approach."
Related News
From Archive

- HDD industry faces challenges as cities push back on fiber drilling disruptions
- 2 workers killed, 1 injured while working on sewer line in Mobile, Ala.
- Tunnel boring continues under Chesapeake Bay for $3.9 billion HRBT Expansion project
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico
- Judge approves construction for key portion of $485 million pipeline in Larimer County, Colo.
- New products: Latest industry developments
- 31 workers rescued after LA tunnel partially collapses
- Ohio Supreme Court rules sewer line location isn’t a ‘defect’ in property dispute
- Faulconer Construction begins rock blasting for water pipeline project in Charlottesville, Va.
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico
Comments