Sewer
2013 Large Directional Drilling Rig Census
<em>Underground Construction</em>’s 2013 census of large horizontal directional drilling contractors is an effective tool when selecting the right size of drill rig to fit specific project needs in managing a successful HDD operation.
Geopolymers: Promising Materials For Underground Applications
There was a time when engineers designed structures to last for eternity. Since the beginning of mankind, civilizations have desired to create an enduring legacy through their architecture. Engineers from ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece and Rome did not build their fabulous structures and monuments with the intention of having them repaired every 50 years.
TCEQ Establishes Water Project Liaison
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), in response to a request from Governor Rick Perry’s office, has established a water project liaison within the TCEQ to assist and coordinate with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) in implementing House Bill 4.
Ongoing Rehab In Indianapolis
A major sewer rehabilitation program is under way in the city of Indianapolis addressing a backlog of structural repair and inflow and infiltration issues.
Industry Veteran Keith Hanks Retires
Keith Hanks, senior environmental engineer for the Wastewater Conveyance Engineering Division for the city of Los Angeles, CA, retired from the industry effective Sept. 21.
Hydrogen Sulfide In A Collection System: What We Should Know And Do To Prevent Human Injury And Sewer Asset Deterioration.
Imagine this: • A sewer worker enters a manhole for one more look late in the day, just to check one final thing. He does this without an entry permit, a harness and tri-pod or a safety person on the surface. His co-workers, not knowing what he is doing, miss him. They look in the manhole and he is not there. He is found an hour or so later, dead at the sewage treatment plant.
WEF Names Electro Scan 'Best Innovative Technology'
Electro Scan Inc., a global innovator of leak detection instrumentation and cloud computing applications, has been selected by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) as recipient of the 2013 Innovative Technology Award.
Editor's Log: HDD Initiatives At UCT
There was a time, back in the 90s, when the horizontal directional drilling market was a huge segment of the annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition. Since then, UCT has grown to truly encompass all aspects of the underground marketplace with construction and rehabilitation of sewer and water systems topping the list.
Underground Construction's 2013 Drilling Fluids Guide
A listing of both bentonite and polymer drilling fluids, divided by type and company.
2012 Large Directional Drilling Rig Census
Underground Construction’s 2012 census of large horizontal directional drilling contractors is an effective tool when selecting the right size of drill rig to fit specific project needs in managing a successful HDD operation.
Corrugated HDPE pipe receives TDOT approval
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has approved the longitudinal installation of large diameter, corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe for storm water drainage systems.
Miami-Dade agrees to upgrade its sewer system
Under a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced recently, Miami-Dade County in Florida has agreed to invest in major upgrades to its wastewater treatment plants and wastewater collection and transmission systems in order to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows.
Robotic Cutters: Equipment Spotlight
Robotic cutters from Pipeline Renewal Technologies, CUES, Aries Industries, AMerik Engineering and Global Pipeline Systems.
EPA Survey Shows $384B Needed For Water Infrastructure By 2030
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released results of a survey showing that $384 billion in improvements are needed for the nation’s drinking water infrastructure through 2030 for systems to continue providing safe drinking water to 297 million Americans.
Design underway on Fort Worth’s Village Creek Interceptors
Design of 4,000 linear feet (LF) of 12-inch water main and 5,124 LF of large diameter sanitary sewer interceptors are being undertaken by RJN Group Inc. (RJN) for the city of Fort Worth, TX. The interceptors are in four locations in a predominately commercial and industrial area adjacent to a historic neighborhood.
Water leaders call for reinvestment in water infrastructure
In April, nearly 200 water leaders from the private and public sector joined together in Washington, DC, as part of the Water Matters! Fly In, sponsored by the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation urging Congress to vote for legislation that addresses the nation’s water infrastructure and confronts mounting affordability concerns.
15th Annual Horizontal Directional Drilling Survey
Despite pockets of negativity, the majority of horizontal directional drilling contractors continue to enjoy a robust business atmosphere for 2013, and most expect that environment to continue for the foreseeable future.
Sewer Inspector Training Comes Of Age
More than eight years ago, representatives of municipalities and consulting engineers were asking that industry neutral training be made available, particularly applicable to the inspection of pipeline rehabilitation projects.
New Technology Leads To Successful Electric Transmission Project
Since the first building in Houston, TX, was air conditioned in 1923, media has often dubbed the city, “the air conditioning capital of the world.” With summer temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s no wonder that Houstonians are concerned about reliable electricity to keep the units running.
HDD Specs Developed For Ohio DOT
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is reviewing a draft of a proposed Standard Specification for Horizontal Directional Drilling which would ensure quality trenchless installations of underground pipelines and conduits.
Downhole Directional Drilling Tools: Equipment Spotlight
Downhole directional drilling tools from Hunting Trenchless, American Augers, Radius HDD Tools, Melfred Borzall, Horizontal Technology, INROCK, Ballantine, Vermeer, Railhead Underground Products, Sharewell HDD Services, HammerHead Trenchless Equipment, Straightline, Condux Intl. and Ditch Witch.
Ice Pigging: New Water, Sewer Pigging Method Offers Unique Benefits
A new breed of pipeline “pig” has arrived in the United States. “Pigging” to clean pipelines is an accepted procedure used by utility pipeline owners. The process is relatively simple: a device (pig) is inserted into a pipe where pressure forces it through the pipe, scraping the inside sidewalls and carrying debris to an exit point out of the pipe. A variety of pig designs are available.
The Texas Water Development Board approves financial aid
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has approved financial assistance loans totaling $29,382,800 as follows:
The Development Of St. Petersburg’s Water Resources Department Succession Plan
Around 2005, many utilities across the country were aware of the statistical data indicating that as the baby boomer generation reached retirement, there would be a substantial number of employees with many years of experience and expertise departing the workforce.
Remote Inspection Equipment: Product Focus
Remote inspection equipment from CUES, Radiodetection, Aries Industries, Envirosight, Pearpoint, RapidView, Ratech Electronics, RedZone Robotics and R.S. Technical Services.
Five-year plan to replace Pittsburg, KS water lines
In June, a five-year water line replacement project for the city of Pittsburg, KS, was presented to city commissioners by John Bailey, public utilities director. The cost to replace the city’s 100-year old water lines and hydrants is expected to be at least $250,000 annually.
IPR, EcoCast Thwart Threat Of Sewer Collapse
The threat that a large, severely deteriorated Houston sewer line could cause the collapse of a road at the intersection of a major highway was averted by a timely trenchless rehabilitation project.
City Of Houston Approves Wastewater Rehab System
Southern Trenchless’ Manhole Mortar structural repair product system is now approved for use by the city of Houston’s Public Works and Engineering Department.
Europe’s 2012 gravity pipe usage studied
According to a newly completed market study by Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI Consulting), in 2012, the total volume of plastic raw materials used in the production of pipes in Europe will exceed 1.9 million tonnes. The total value of the European gravity pipes market is estimated at circa EUR 6.5 billion.
14th Annual Horizontal Directional Drilling Survey: Telecom, Energy Drive Market, But Is It Sustainable?
Depending upon where you are located and what niche drives your business, the horizontal directional drilling market for 2012 is a mix of strong, mediocre and stagnant. But where business is good, it is very, very good.

- Three Houston workers killed by hydrogen sulfide leak during sewer repair
- Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
- TxDOT advances massive drainage tunnel beneath I-35 in Austin
- Is the Boring Company tunneling blind in Nashville? Experts warn rock tests fall short
- MTA awards $1.97 billion tunnel-boring contract for subway expansion