HDD
Companies Announce Pipeline Construction to Provide Carbon-Neutral Renewable Natural Gas
Southern California Gas Co. and waste management company CR&R Environmental have broke ground on construction of an eight-inch pipeline that will bring carbon-neutral renewable natural gas into the Southern California Gas distribution system for the first time. The connecting pipeline, funded by CR..
Sentient Energy Expands Intelligent Analytics to Entire Distribution Grid
Sentient Energy, Inc. today announced its new Sentient ZM1™ zero amperage grid monitor for deployment on cellular and mesh networks. The Sentient ZM1 is the world’s first advanced line monitor that can be deployed on distribution lines even where no or very-low amperage is available to power monito..
Utility Builds Smarter Sewer System
The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) is building a smarter sewer system that will help reduce sewer overflows into creeks and rivers. “Our smart sewer system is anticipated to save tens of millions of dollars in capital investments in projects to control sewer overflows,” sai..
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..
John Deere and AGTEK Collaboration Increases Customer Support
As contractors increasingly use 3D digital models and GPS technology when grading a job site, John Deere is joining forces with AGTEK − a leading provider of takeoff and 3D modeling software for the civil construction industry − to increase efficiency and ease the takeoff and modeling process across..
Unique Products, Innovative Solutions In New Barbco Equipment
by Jeff Griffin Senior Editor Barbco has introduced two new underground construction products: the FlexBor system for addressing environmental issues associated with horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and auger boring; and TriBor, a hybrid machine incorporating capabilities of HDD, auger boring ..
Water Technology Program Names Inaugural Class
Pipeline H2O, a new water technology commercialization program managed by The Hamilton Mill, has announced its first class of companies. Supported by a coalition of regional cities, utilities, universities, and startup organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati region, Pipeline H2O’s goal is to..
SoCalGas to Use Fiber Optic Technology to Monitor Pipelines in Real Time
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) will be one of the first natural gas utilities in the United States to incorporate innovative fiber-optic cable technology to detect impacts and leaks along its transmission and high-pressure pipeline system. The technology uses fiber-optic strands to tran..
Ditch Witch Introduces ‘Game Changer’ JT40 HDD Rig
Ditch Witch has introduced a new 40,000-pound pullback horizontal directional drill (HDD) model which is being promoted as an industry “game changer.” From the front to the rear, everything contained in the JT40’s streamlined profile is all new, said Senior Product Manager Seth Matthesen. “We’ve t..
Company Increases Use of Drones to Inspect Electric Transmission Lines
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Westar Energy is increasing the use of drones for such things as inspecting equipment, navigating remote areas and managing some emergencies, as the utility tries to improve safety and efficiency while also saving money, company officials said. Westar and Kansas State University..
University of Michigan, Google Create Flint Water Crisis App
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan and Google have teamed up to create an app and website aimed at helping Flint residents and officials deal with the lead-contaminated water crisis. Mywater-Flint was developed by computer science researchers at the university’s Flint and Ann Arbor camp..
Ditch Witch Boosts Drill Power With JT60, JT60 Upgrades
To provide horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operators with the power and performance to conquer any job, Ditch Witch, a Charles Machine Works Company, has introduced Tier 4 emission standard upgrades to the JT60 and JT60 All Terrain directional drills. With new Tier 4 engine upgrades, these dr..
Michels Upgrades Sewer and Catch Basin Cleaning Service
Michels Pipe Services has added a cost-effective, environmentally sound approach to sewer and catch basin cleaning in the Midwest. The service augments Michels’ comprehensive water and sewer maintenance and rehabilitation services throughout the nation. Michels recently purchased eight Camel 1200 w..
Colorado Celebrates “Water Research Foundation Day”
Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper proclaimed December 5, 2016 “Water Research Foundation Day,” in honor of The Water Research Foundation, a leading sponsor of innovative research supporting the water community. Originally based in New York, WRF has been a member of the Colorado business commun..
The Great Lakes Water Utility Energy Challenge Launches
The Great Lakes Protection Fund and American Water Works Association have launched The Water Utility Energy and Efficiency Challenge, an innovative program which engages water operators in a competition to reduce the emissions sourced in their energy generation. The competition is aimed at connectin..
Major Underground Utility Infrastructure Conference Brings Education, Equipment To Fort Worth, TX
The 2017 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) is taking its benchmark education program to the Fort Worth Convention Center, Jan. 31-Feb. 2. Presented by Underground Construction magazine, UCT is the largest event in the United States focusing on undergroun..
Bit Brokers Unveils New Line Of Matrix PDC Bits
Bit Brokers International is proud to introduce its new and improved line of HDD matrix PDC bits. Matrix PDC bits are a combination of both steel and carbide. The higher the carbide-to-steel ratio is, the greater the quality of the bit. Bit Brokers’ matrix PDC bits now have the highest carbide cont..
14th Annual Ditch Witch Customer Event Draws 320 Attendees From 24 Countries
Ditch Witch, a Charles Machine Works Company, hosted its 14th annual international customer event at the Ditch Witch Barcelona Support Center in Spain. As one of the largest underground construction events in Europe, 320 customers attended, representing 24 countries across Europe, the Middle East an..
Water Research Foundation Appoints John Albert as Chief Research Officer
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has appointed John Albert as Chief Research Officer. Albert will contribute to the strategic direction of WRF as part of the Senior Management Team and as director of Research Services and Subscribers Services. “We are excited that John has accepted the role of C..
Carylon Purchases Pipeline Asset Management And Investigative Technologies
Carylon Corporation, a North American comprehensive environmental maintenance service provider, has purchased several state-of-the-art pipeline asset management and investigative technologies from JD7 that allow Carylon to inspect and conduct condition assessments in live pressure water mains across..
StraightLine HDD Inks Agreement With Armadrillco
StraightLine HDD Inc. has announced the finalization of an exclusive agreement with Armadrillco Inc. for distribution and manufacturing of Armadrillco downhole products. The agreement takes effect immediately. “Armadrillco’s HDD tools are highly complementary to our tooling portfolio,” said Straigh..
SoCalGas Deploys Sensors to Detect Methane and Enhance Public Safety
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) has completed demonstration testing of new gas detection sensors employing its Advanced Meter communication system as part of its overall pipeline safety efforts. The sensors can detect natural gas leaks quickly near natural gas pipelines and serves as an e..
Radius HDD Moves To New Headquarters
Radius HDD, a Charles Machine Works company, has completed its new facility dedicated solely to the design, manufacturing and distribution of HDD tools. The new facility will allow Radius to continue supporting drillers coast to coast, as well as the space to continue developing new and innovative t..
John Deere Integrates SmartGrade Technology Into 750K, 850K Dozers
John Deere is building on its lineup of SmartGrade crawler dozers with the integration of the machine control offering on the 750K and 850K models. “The launch of our 700K SmartGrade dozer was a huge hit earlier this year, and many of our customers asked for the grade control technology to be integ..
UT Austin Engineering Becomes New Home for EPA Water Infrastructure Center
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $3.9 million to researchers in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin to establish the new Center for Infrastructure Modeling and Management, which will develop and improve open source water infrastructure mo..
Vactor HXX ParaDIGm® Vacuum Excavator Wins Award at 15th Annual Chicago Innovation Awards
The Vactor HXX ParaDIGm®, a compact vacuum excavator, has been named a winner at the 15th annual Chicago Innovation Awards. The Chicago Innovation Awards recognize the most innovative new products or services brought to market or public service in the Chicago area each year. The award was presented..
Utility Eyes Burning Thinning Debris to Protect Water Supply
PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona water and power utility is conducting an experiment to add forest-thinning debris to coal burned by an electricity-generating plant. It aims to make thinning more economical to help avoid devastating wildfires producing runoff that would contaminate reservoirs. A tes..
Brooklyn-to-Staten Island Drinking Water Tunnel is Activated
NEW YORK (AP) — A $250 million drinking water tunnel from Brooklyn to Staten Island that had been delayed by Superstorm Sandy has been activated. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Saturday that the tunnel is a critical backup that can deliver up to 150 million gallons of safe drinking water per day t..
Agency to Help Oklahoma Cities Map Water Infrastructure Digitally
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Bert Curtis said the city of Davis‘ water infrastructure is mapped in his head, after working in the public utilities department for more than three decades. Now that map is on the web, and the division director’s employees can find water meters and fire hydrants using an iPad. ..
- Intrepid Fiber breaks ground on fiber optic network in Superior, Colo.
- Excavator collides with I-95 overpass in Henrico, Va., causing multi-vehicle crash
- Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts
- Two workers rescued after hours trapped in Mich. trench collapse
- Trump calls for Keystone XL pipeline revival, but developer has moved on
- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes
- Ameren Illinois to invest $140 million in natural gas pipeline replacement program
- Charlottesville, Va., to begin work on 24-inch water line for Rivanna River crossing
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds