Trenchless Methods
Griffolyn pre-liners improve reliability in trenchless pipe lining
Griffolyn reinforced pre-liners offer added protection and reliability during CIPP trenchless pipe rehabilitation, helping prevent resin washout, liner buckling, and installation delays in water and sewer infrastructure projects.
Dresser Utility Solutions acquires pipe-pulling tech firm Kobus
Dresser Utility Solutions has acquired Kobus, a U.S.- and U.K.-based provider of gas and water pipe pulling technology, in a move aimed at expanding Dresser’s infrastructure repair capabilities for utility customers.
Evanston, Ill., begins sewer line rehabilitation project using CIPP trenchless technology
The City of Evanston has begun work on a multi-month sewer rehabilitation project using the Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) trenchless method. Sewer cleaning and inspection started on March 25, with pipe lining scheduled to begin in May, weather permitting.
Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
The innovation, known as a "peristaltic conduit," mimics the segmented movement of earthworms to propel itself through the soil with minimal disruption to existing infrastructure.
Two workers killed in Maryland trench collapse during home renovation
Two construction workers were killed on Feb. 28 after a trench collapsed while they were working on a home renovation project in Catonsville, Maryland, fire officials confirmed.
PURIS acquires Creekside, expanding trenchless pipeline services
PURIS has completed its acquisition of Creekside. Creekside, through its Insight Pipe and IPC Services brands, specializes in trenchless pipeline rehabilitation services for wastewater and stormwater sewer applications through the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.
Smelly Mel’s, Sewer Rat Plumbing fined nearly $530,000 after San Mateo, Calif., trench collapse
California workplace safety regulators have fined Smelly Mel’s Plumbing and Sewer Rat Plumbing a combined $529,640 for safety violations linked to a trench collapse that seriously injured a construction worker in San Mateo on Aug. 1, 2024.
SAERTEX multiCom achieves two sustainability rehabilitation milestones
Sustainability is an integral part of the corporate culture at SAERTEX multiCom and embedded in its DNA. Trenchless pipe rehabilitation using SAERTEX-LINERS makes a valuable contribution to protecting the precious resource of drinking water.
Vortex launches water division to tackle aging infrastructure
Vortex Companies has launched Vortex Water, a new division focused on water infrastructure rehabilitation. The move expands the company's trenchless solutions beyond sewer and industrial systems to address aging water pipelines with advanced materials, liners, and trenchless technologies.
HammerHead acquires ProKASRO, expanding trenchless repair services
HammerHead Trenchless has acquired the assets of ProKASRO Services USA, the distributor of ProKASRO Mechatronik GmbH and market leader of robotic solutions and rehabilitation equipment for repairing underground water and wastewater infrastructure.
Trenchless Repairs Corp. grows Miami-Dade services for drainage, septic systems
Trenchless Repairs Corp. expands trenchless services for grease trap, storm drain, and septic repair services, minimizing disruption for Miami-Dade customers.
Rehab News: Vortex Companies' acquisition expands capabilities, reach
Vortex Companies LLC has acquired Tri-State Utilities (Tri-State) and Pipe Vision from National Underground Group, Inc., a portfolio company of ORIX Capital Partners, the private equity arm of ORIX Corporation USA.
National OnDemand expands in Texas with J. Tucker Construction acquisition
National OnDemand, a communication and utility infrastructure services provider, has acquired J. Tucker Construction, a Greenville, Texas-based company specializing in telecom and utility infrastructure.
Vortex acquires Sancon, expanding trenchless solutions along West Coast
Vortex Companies, LLC (Vortex), has announced its acquisition of Sancon Technologies, Inc. (Sancon). Headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Sancon has been a trusted leader in structure and trenchless rehabilitation across California and Nevada, since 2012.
Vortex acquires ETECAS to expand trenchless tech, in-house manufacturing
Vortex Companies, a trenchless technology construction company headquartered in Houston, announced its acquisition of ETECAS UG (ETECAS), a Germany-based leader in trenchless rehabilitation and UV curing equipment.
OSHA cites Glenburn, Maine contractor in fatal trench collapse at Brownville worksite
While installing storm drainage pipes at a Brownville worksite, a retaining wall collapsed, killing one worker and injuring another. OSHA cited Patriot Paving Group LLC for multiple safety violations, including failing to brace the wall and remove workers from the hazardous trench.
Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
A U.S. Department of Labor workplace safety investigation has found a Frisco, Texas, contractor repeatedly exposed workers to serious hazards by sending them into unprotected trenches without providing a means of escape.
Columbia, Mo., approves $9.2 million sewer rehab project using trenchless technology
The Columbia City Council has approved plans to move forward with a $9.2 million sewer rehabilitation project aimed at upgrading aging sewer infrastructure across central and west Columbia.
Vortex expands trenchless tech with Tri-State Utilities, Pipe Vision acquisition
Vortex Companies has announced its acquisition of Tri-State Utilities and Pipe Vision from National Underground Group. The deal will strengthen Vortex's trenchless capabilities and reach geographically and operationally.
OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
OSHA has cited two Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites in Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. Inspectors found workers exposed to cave-in hazards without proper protections, prompting citations for willful and serious violations.
Azuria Water Solutions to acquire Performance Pipeline Technologies
Azuria Water Solutions™, a provider of infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation and technology-enabled water solutions, have announced the acquisition of Performance Pipeline Technologies, Inc., a pipeline service provider specializing in trenchless repair.
Sewer line construction, 14-foot trench work to impact Honoapiʻilani Highway in Waikapū
Sewer line installation work on the Honoapiʻilani Highway (Route 30) in Waikapū will require a full road closure as crews prepare to dig a 14-foot-deep trench.
Worker deaths decline amid OSHA crackdown on high-risk trench and fall hazards
According to preliminary data, fatalities in key high-risk areas like trench collapses and falls, which are among the leading causes of death for construction workers, have notably declined.
IPEX expands trenchless offering with cost-efficient, large-size NovaForm PVC liner
NovaForm is a styrene-free, expand-in-place structural liner for rehabilitating trenchless sewer and stormwater culverts. This liner combines long-term strength with flexibility, allowing it to handle some of the most challenging installation conditions.
OSHA cites Massachusetts contractor after fatal trench collapse in Hanson
A federal workplace safety investigation has determined that the fatal injury of a worker in Hanson, Mass., in February 2024 could have been prevented.
Peabody General Contractors to host free trench safety training in Lockhart, Texas
Peabody General Contractors, in partnership with the Austin Chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) and OSHA, will host its annual Live Trench Training event on Oct. 4 in Lockhart, Texas.
Texas trench fatalities rise despite OSHA safety regulations
(UI) — Trench collapses continue to be a leading cause of preventable worker deaths in Texas, despite existing safety regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Crews begin trenchless repair of 70-year-old sewer main in Lakeland, Fla.
The city of Lakeland Wastewater Collection Division has begun repairing a 70-year-old sewer main along North Crystal Lake Drive between Smithfield Avenue and Lowery Avenue.
Construction worker dies after being found unconscious in trench box
The worker, who was found approximately 15 feet deep in the trench near Second Ave and Pitchkettle Rd in Suffolk, Virginia, was engaged in utility repairs when the incident occurred.
OSHA fines El Paso contractor in deadly trench collapse, citing repeated safety lapses
OSHA determined that CMD Endeavors Inc. failed to provide a proper protective system for a pipe layer working in an excavation. As a result, a trench collapsed, causing a piece of asphalt to fall and severely injure the worker, who later died in a hospital.

- 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
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- Final construction phase kicks off for Indianapolis deep rock tunnel
- 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