Business
California American Water Names New President
California and Hawaii American Water have named Richard Svindland their new president, effective March 1, 2017. Svindland replaces Robert MacLean, who has served as president of California American Water since 2009. MacLean will now become senior vice president of American Water’s Eastern Division, ..
Many Positives From Common Ground Alliance DIRT Report
The latest Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) report released in October 2016 by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) contained the good news that efforts to reduce accidental damage to the nation’s underground utility infrastructure and build awareness of the free 811 service are making significa..
Maine Utility Regulators to Consider $1.5B FairPoint Sale
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine utility regulators are ready to delve into details of the proposed $1.5 billion sale of FairPoint Communications, the country’s eighth-largest phone and internet company. Consolidated Communications, based in Illinois, announced in December it was buying FairPoint, assum..
Primoris Bags 3 Electric Transmission and Distribution Contracts
Primoris Services Corporation has received three new utilities and distribution contracts worth more than $74 million. The contracts were secured by the underground division of ARB, Inc., part of the company’s West Construction Services segment. The projects are located in Southern California and i..
West Virginia American Water Names New President
West Virginia American Water has named Brian Bruce its new president, effective March 1, 2017. Bruce replaces Jeffrey McIntyre, who has been named Senior Vice President of American Water’s Mid-Atlantic Division, encompassing Pennsylvania and West Virginia. McIntyre will also become President of Penn..
Contract for Water Pipeline Condition Assessment Extended
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission has extended its contract with Echologics for pipeline condition assessment services for an additional one-year term. This is the second extension of the contract between WSSC and Echologics. Echologics, a Mueller Technologies company, has assessed more t..
Senate Confirms Scott Pruitt to Lead EPA
WASHINGTON (AP) — Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt on Friday won Senate confirmation to head the Environmental Protection Agency, a federal agency he repeatedly sued to rein in its reach during the Obama administration. The vote was 52-46 as Republican leaders used their party’s narrow Senate..
Sterling Construction Names New President
Sterling Construction Company Inc.’s Board of Directors has elected Joseph A. Cutillo as President, effective immediately. Cutillo had previously served as Sterling’s Executive Vice President Chief Business Development Officer. Cutillo has nearly 30 years of executive management experience and a de..
APCA Looks To Strong Future
The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) closed out the year 2016 stronger than ever and with a high level of optimism for the energy policies of a new president and administration. “Over the past 12 to 18 months, APCA members were involved in building the majority of new natural gas in..
Utility Recognizes Innovative Employees
Through its annual Innovation Awards program, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation recently recognized 68 employees who implemented 41 improvement projects in 2016 that provided tangible benefits for Central Hudson and its customers. “Innovation is a core value at Central Hudson, and one our e..
Utility Saves 100 Million Gallons of Water in 2016
Maine Water announced that it pumped and treated 100 million fewer gallons of water in 2016 than it did the previous year, while still delivering the same amount of water to its customers. Judy Wallingford, president of Maine Water, said most water distribution systems across Maine and New En..
In Memoriam: Glen Barton, Winston Johnson
Glen Barton, former Caterpillar Inc. chairman and CEO, died Oct. 24, 2016, in Peoria, IL, at age 77 Barton retired in 2004 after nearly 43 years of Caterpillar service. Starting as a college graduate trainee and rising through the ranks in numerous marketing, general management and executive positi..
Forterra Acquires Royal Enterprises America
Forterra, Inc., a leading manufacturer of water infrastructure pipe and products in the United States and Eastern Canada, has acquired the business of Royal Enterprises America, a manufacturer of concrete drainage pipe, precast concrete products, stormwater treatment technologies and erosion control..
Corpus Christi Hires Water Director
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — Corpus Christi has hired a new water director after supply issues including a chemical leak prompted a four-day water usage ban in December. City officials Monday announced the appointment of Clarence Wittwer as water director. Wittwer most recently served as deputy ass..
Oklahoma Gas & Electric Named Utility Customer Champion
Market Strategies International has named Oklahoma Gas & Electric a Utility Customer Champion in its recently announced Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement™ study. OG&E achieved the Utility Customer Champion designation after receiving a score of 745 on the ECR index, a score that pu..
Utilities Move to Save Merger Amid Criticism
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri-based utility sought Monday to rescue its proposal to buy Kansas’ largest electric company amid strong criticism that their $12.2 billion deal is too rich and would create a larger but financially weakened firm with consumers on the hook for its problems. An attorney ..
Utility Improves Lead Testing
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) is implementing a new streamlined process for handling lead test kit requests, which will improve the integration of lead test data gathered from the certified contract labs and enable PWSA to provide more accurate and timely feedback to customers. Eff..
New Jersey American Water Investing in New Main Installation Project
New Jersey American Water will invest approximately $800,000 to install new water mains along North Avenue from Forest Road to Morse Avenue in Fanwood. The project includes the installation of approximately 2,720 feet of new 12-inch ductile iron pipes to replace aging pipes, as well as 55 utility-ow..
Sewer District Awards $7.2 million for Infrastructure Improvements
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Trustees recently awarded $7.2 million to 12 communities as part of the agency’s newly-launched Member Community Infrastructure Program (MCIP). The MCIP assists communities with local infrastructure improvements — including new sewer infrastructure, repairs to..
New Jersey American Water Invests $1.8 Million for Main Replacement
Beginning this week, New Jersey American Water will be investing approximately $1.8 million in new water mains in its service area of Lakewood. The approximate 5,400 feet of new pipe replaces water main that was installed as far back as the 1920s. The aging 4-, 6- and 8-inch water lines will be repl..
Pennsylvania American Water Kicks Off Scholarship Program
Pennsylvania American Water is now accepting applications for its 2017 Stream of Learning Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance to high school seniors who are planning to pursue careers in the water and wastewater industry. The program is designed to support outstanding students living..
ADS Unveils New Stormwater Pipe Technology
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., has revealed its latest breakthrough in stormwater pipe technology, HPXR™ 75. This new technology provides heightened levels of stiffness, is available in a range of sizes, and yields significant cost benefits for customers compared to alternative products. “The HPX..
McElroy Partners with Netafim to Grow HDPE Equipment Business
McElroy and Netafim have joined forces to meet the demand for HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipeline solutions serving the irrigation industry and the growing opportunities in potable water and natural gas. “We are excited about the many benefits McElroy machines will bring to our growing operat..
WRF Releases Results From Direct Potable Reuse Study
The Water Research Foundation (WRF), a leading sponsor of potable reuse research, has released interim results from the ongoing study, “Blending Requirements for Water from Direct Potable Reuse Treatment Facilities” (#4536). The objective of this project is to provide guidance for the appropriate us..
Controversial BLM Rule Could Stimulate Gathering Line Construction
It is not often that a federal regulatory dictate is good for one section of the oil and gas industry but bad for another. But the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is part of the Department of Interior, manages to create that divergence with its November final rule which affects nearly 100,000..
Interior Gas Utility Board Approves Merger
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — The board of directors for Interior Gas Utility has agreed to purchase Fairbanks Natural Gas from the state for more than $58 million. As part of the deal approved Tuesday, Interior Gas Utility would also get a processing plant in Point Mackenzie and transportation trucks. ..
Water Council Establishes ICE Institute Focused On Technology
The Water Council, headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, launched a groundbreaking commercialization initiative that will match manufacturers, utilities and the agricultural industry with promising water and water-related technology research and innovations for advancement into the marketplace. The ICE (..
Missouri PSC Sets Deadline for Proposed Water and Sewer System Sale
Lake Region Water & Sewer Co. and Camden County Public Water Supply District Number Four have filed a joint application with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking authorization for Camden County to acquire Lake Region’s existing water and sewer assets. Applications to intervene and partici..
American Water and New Jersey Village Begin Water Partnership
The Township of South Orange Village and American Water, the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, have formed a new partnership to deliver clean water to residents and businesses in South Orange, N.J. The long-term partnership consists of a 30-year water sales agre..
Pennsylvania American Water Acquires Scranton Wastewater System
Pennsylvania American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water, has completed the acquisition of the wastewater system assets of the Scranton Sewer Authority (SSA). The purchase price is approximately $195 million. The newly acquired system provides wastewater service to approximately 31,..
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- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds