Technology
North America’s first CASE electric mini excavator quietly gets to work in Illinois
(UI) — The CX15EV mini excavator is the first model available from the new CASE EV lineup, with the CX25EV mini excavator and electrified small articulated loader launching in 2024.
Underground construction enters the virtual reality universe
(UI) — The Super Witch is incredibly popular, and at CONEXPO, the Metaverse offered a chance for people to put on the VR headset, pick up the corresponding hand controllers, and find themselves inside the cab.
Ensuring quality control and proper storage of cured-in-place pipe lining
(UI) — Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) has revolutionized the rehabilitation of underground pipelines, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution. What was once considered an alternative pipe replacement solution, CIPP is increasingly becoming the accepted go-to pipe rehabilitation method.
Trenchless Technology Center continues to prosper, provide industry research
(UI) — The Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University had another busy year and its Industry Advisory Board (IAB) again hit an all-time high in 2023. Research activities were in full swing and in-person training even came back, with forums in Boston and Houston.
Warren Environmental set to establish roots in Georgia with relocation
(UI) — Warren Environmental and Coatings LLC, a manufacturer of proprietary epoxy products and patented application technologies, has announced its strategic relocation from Massachusetts to Georgia this fall.
KOROYD's advanced helmet technology reduces heat stress
(UI) — KOROYD has revealed compelling data demonstrating that its integrated safety helmets effectively decrease heat stress by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit / 4.5 degrees Celsius compared to traditional EPS internal helmet constructions.
USDA invests $800 million to improve rural water infrastructure, rehabilitate lead pipes
(UI) — The Biden-Harris Administration has unveiled a substantial investment of $808 million, led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to extend access to clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems across rural regions.
Kinston City Council greenlights Vernon Avenue sewer rehabilitation project
(UI) — This pivotal initiative, assigned to Herring Rivenbark Inc., aims to enhance the sewer system beneath Vernon Avenue, a prominent hub for Kinston's businesses and attractions.
Duke Energy methane emissions monitoring platform to receive federal funding
The company's current methane-monitoring platform – which has reduced recordable leaks by more than 85% since the beginning of 2022 – uses satellites, sensors and other cutting-edge technologies to detect leaks and measure real-time methane emissions on underground natural gas distribution systems.
First aqueduct water pipeline rehabilitated with geopolymer for SDCWA
(UI) — When the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) inspected its First Aqueduct water conveyance system in Valley Center, engineers identified that rehabilitation was required. Groundwater was infiltrating three tunnels within the system and rehabilitation was required to maintain the tunnels’ structural integrity and extend their service life.
Tech Tips: Force main rehabilitation
(UI) — Force mains, also called rising mains in the United Kingdom, are low pressure pipelines that lift the sewage from one location to another by pumping the sewage under positive pressure.
Wint raises $35 million to propel AI-driven leak detection solutions
(UI) — Wint, a 'water intelligence' startup from Israel, has successfully secured $35 million in funding for its cutting-edge water management system that merges AI-driven software with connected hardware to promptly identify and mitigate leaks.
Currently at CUIRE – Annual update of research center’s activities
(UI) — Pipe deterioration is a complex process, involving a combination of aging, chemical and environmental factors. Polymeric SAPL is a new application to structurally renew deteriorated gravity and pressure pipelines and can be applied to a wide range of concrete, masonry, corrugated metal, and steel pipelines.
Wood delivers 2,000 miles of low carbon pipeline projects in North America
(UI) — Wood has announced that it is delivering concept and front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies for nearly 2,000 miles of onshore low-carbon pipelines in North America.
Digitalization will power future of utility workforce, Info-Tech Research Group says
The utilities industry faces significant obstacles, including inadequate funding and resource support and a limited understanding of digital solution development. To overcome these challenges, utilities must gain a deeper understanding of their workforce and cultivate a culture that embraces openness to change.
Signal Mountain, Tenn., plans $40 million sewer upgrade to address overflow issue
(UI) — For the past fifty years, Signal Mountain has been dealing with sewage issues primarily due to the placement of its pipes, which are plagued with cracks and breaks both in the streams and underground. To address this issue, Signal Mountain's water officials have presented a $40 million plan to provide relief.
Arlington, Texas, adopts advanced solutions for detecting buried lead service lines and water leaks
(UI) — The Arlington Water Utilities in Texas have selected Electro Scan Inc. to deploy its non-acoustic SWORDFISH Buried Lead Pipe Detection solution and TRIDENT Pressurized Leak Detection solution across the city.
Lynchburg, Va., plans $100 million tunnel project to conquer sewer overflow and CSO compliance
(UI) — The $100 million tunnel project is anticipated to be built using a tunnel boring machine. It will boast a completed diameter of approximately 12 feet, extend 4,700 feet in length, and rest 80 feet below ground.
Comtech Telecommunications wins $30 million contract to enhance US Army tactical communications
(UI) — Comtech Telecommunications Corp. has been awarded a $30 million contract from Fairwinds Technologies LLC to provide Comtech’s next-generation Troposcatter Family of Systems (FOS) in support of U.S. Army tactical communications.
New Products
(UI) — Discover the latest innovations in heavy equipment with John Deere's expanded Performance Tiering compact wheel loaders, HCSS's advanced Fleet Dashcams for enhanced driver safety, and Felling Trailers' groundbreaking Air Bi-Fold Ramps System, setting new standards in the construction industry.
Aries Industries’ announces sale of Water Well assets
(UI) — Aries Industries, an industry leader in state-of-the-art equipment for inspection and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure, is accelerating investment in its core business of wastewater/sewer inspection and rehabilitation product lines.
Pressure pipe rehabilitation – what’s on the menu?
(UI) — Trenchless methods have been widely used for the rehabilitation of gravity pipelines for some time. The advent of these technologies and methods has lowered the cost of extending the useful life of gravity pipelines as opposed to outright replacing them.
Achieving more accurate utility infrastructure mapping with the help of an app
(UI) — More than 217,000 utility damage events were reported in 2021, according to the latest Common Ground Alliance DIRT (Damage Information Reporting Tool) Report. The three leading causes of these reported utility strikes were: digging without calling 811, failure to pothole and/or maintain clearance, and locating issues due to incorrect and/or outdated maps.
Breakthrough time of styrene emissions through various CIPP coating materials
(UI) — Recent studies of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liners have shown that potentially dangerous concentrations of styrene can be emitted prior to liner installation in the cold storage unit or vehicle.
Rehab Technology: Emergency repair of unexpected leak
(UI) — Created in 1951, by the Texas Legislature, North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) consists of 10 original member cities, including Farmersville, Forney, Garland, McKinney, Mesquite, Plano, Princeton, Rockwall, Royse City and Wylie. By 1956, this new agency was providing water to the region.
Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority modernizes workflow with OpenGov software
With OpenGov’s easy-to-use budgeting software, staff will be able to increase collaboration by centralizing processes, analyses and workflow management to evaluate, budget and track all capital planning activities.
Wellington City Council adopts digital map for underground infrastructure management
(UI) — The Wellington Underground Asset Map, backed by a $4 million investment, aims to revolutionize the installation and maintenance of buried infrastructure, including telecommunications cables, gas pipes, and other vital services.
Critical repairs underway in Idylwood, Va., to avert Shreve Road sewer pipe collapse
(UI) — Prior to the discovery of the hole in the sewage line, plans were already in place for a trenchless cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation of the sewer line, a non-invasive method of repairing pipe lining without the need for excavation.
Gilbert, La., granted $1.4 million in funding for sewer rehabilitation project
(UI) — Federal funding totaling $1.4 million has reportedly been awarded to the Village of Gilbert for a sewage restoration project. The outdated sewer pipes that were put in place more than 40 years ago will be renovated thanks to the federal subsidy.
VINCI Construction and GRDF enhance underground utility mapping with Exodigo
(UI) — Through VINCI's innovation platform, Leonard, the two companies partnered to demonstrate the accuracy and potential of Exodigo's AI-based solution for identifying and mapping underground utilities, Exodigo identified 57% more utility lines than shown on existing records.
- 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
- Construction worker killed in trench collapse near Prosperity, S.C.
- Two workers rescued after hours trapped in Mich. trench collapse
- WES tunnel boring machine retrieved from Oregon river after seven-month project
- 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