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  • Crossing the Saugus River with Ductile Iron Pipe -  When, Why, Who, and How

    Crossing the Saugus River with Ductile Iron Pipe - When, Why, Who, and How

    By Jeff Houser   04/15/2025  In Installation Products Technical

    Over the course of my 30+ year career with McWane Ductile, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of some remarkably interesting and detailed water pipeline projects. Several of these projects have required a partnership between the community, awarding authority, contractor, water works distributor, and material manufacturer to ensure the projects were installed efficiently and correctly. However, few have matched the scale, complexity, and collaborative effort of the Saugus River crossing—part of the massive Belden Bly Bridge Replacement Project in Massachusetts. This project stands out not only for its technical challenges but also for the preparation, planning, and collaboration of key partners that brought it to a successful conclusion. In this #IronStrong Blog, you’ll hear the when, why, who, and how of this complex and intricate Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) waterway crossing.

  • Crossing the Shawsheen River - A Customer Spotlight

    Crossing the Shawsheen River - A Customer Spotlight

    By Jeff Houser   05/04/2023  In Products

    The Town of Andover, located in the northeastern corridor of Massachusetts, provides water service to over 10,000 customers in a network of approximately 257 miles of water mains, the oldest dating back to 1886. This #IronStrong blog tells how the Andover Water Division solved a significant water loss issue due to a breach in one of their important mains feeding a commercial/industrial area.

  • What is Tuberculation and Why Did it Happen in Iron Pipe?

    What is Tuberculation and Why Did it Happen in Iron Pipe?

    By Jeff Houser   04/13/2023  In Products Technical

    In years past, gray cast iron pipe was originally sold with no lining or coating on the pipe's interior. After many years of study, it became apparent that the inside of cast iron pipe might be affected by certain types of water. In this Iron Strong Blog, we will describe tuberculation, why it happened in older iron pipe, and the modern solution for tuberculation.

  • What Are Common Installation Methods for Ball & Socket River Crossing Pipe and How is it Assembled?

    What Are Common Installation Methods for Ball & Socket River Crossing Pipe and How is it Assembled?

    By Jeff Houser   05/14/2021  In Installation Products

    As the name suggests, Ball & Socket River Crossing Pipe manufactured by McWane Ductile is a severe application Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) product manufactured to meet the demanding requirements associated with crossing rivers, streams, and lakes. In this blog, we will discuss the various installation methods associated with Ball & Socket pipe and basic assembly instructions.

  • What is the Maximum Direct Tap Size for Ductile Iron Pipe?

    What is the Maximum Direct Tap Size for Ductile Iron Pipe?

    By Jeff Houser   09/10/2020  In Installation Technical

    With Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), typical service taps can be installed directly into the wall of the pipe, which is called “direct tapping.” The ability to use direct tapping eliminates the need for tapping saddles. And the ease at which DI pipe can be "hot tapped" helps avoid the issue of unhappy consumers because their service and pressure are not impacted by the addition of a new tap. The waterworks community frequently asks us, “How big of a tap will DI pipe allow?” The simple, most conservative response, not having interrogated the user as to their DI pipeline particulars, would be as follows:

  • What is Long Span Pipe and How Is It Installed?

    What is Long Span Pipe and How Is It Installed?

    By Jeff Houser   05/21/2020  In Installation Products

    As the name suggests, Long-Span pipe can extend over distances with fewer supports than conventional Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe). In standard 18-foot lengths of DI pipe, a minimum of one support is required within 2-feet of the Bell for each length of pipe. When using Long-Span pipe, distances of 27-foot up to 45-foot and longer can be achieved with support only at the Bell ends.

  • What to Do When the Cement Lining in Ductile Iron Pipe is Damaged

    What to Do When the Cement Lining in Ductile Iron Pipe is Damaged

    By Jeff Houser   08/08/2018  In Products Technical

    Cement-mortar lining for iron pipe has been used for nearly 100 years. The first installation of gray iron pipe with a cement lining was recorded in Savannah, GA in 1922. Todays modern Ductile iron pipe still utilizes cement lining for a safe and reliable means of providing clean drinking water to millions of people every day.

    On occasion, however, the cement lining may have incurred some damage in the field. The lining, although very durable, does not have the same resistance to bending stress or impact as the pipe itself. Certainly, the pipe or fitting should be checked for further structural damage, but once determined the affected area is only the cement lining, repairs can be made under the applicable provisions within the ANSI/AWWA C104/A21.4 standard CEMENT-MORTAR LINING FOR DUCTILE IRON PIPE AND FITTINGS.

  • Ductile Iron Pipe Markings: What Do They Mean?

    Ductile Iron Pipe Markings: What Do They Mean?

    By Jeff Houser   07/24/2018  In Products

    All ductile iron pipe manufacturers use markings in a similar manner to assist customers in selecting the right material for the project. This includes verifying the material is suitable for the application intended (i.e. water or sewer) as well as adhering to the project requirements as stipulated by the owner/engineer for pipe class, lining, and exterior coating. 

    Because the colors used by each manufacturer may vary, we will explain how McWane Ductile applies these markings and describe their need and locations.

Latest Posts

  • How is Ductile Iron Resilient to Disruptive Events? Part II – DI Pipe & Wildfires
    How is Ductile Iron Resilient to Disruptive Events? Part II – DI Pipe & Wildfires By Jacob Lovin, ENV SP 04/22/2025  In Products Resiliency Technical
  • Crossing the Saugus River with Ductile Iron Pipe -  When, Why, Who, and How
    Crossing the Saugus River with Ductile Iron Pipe - When, Why, Who, and How By Jeff Houser 04/15/2025  In Installation Products Technical
  • Why Would High Temperatures Affect Piping Material Selection?
    Why Would High Temperatures Affect Piping Material Selection? By Scott Rhorick 03/25/2025  In Products Technical
  • Young Water Professionals - A Guide to Success
    Young Water Professionals - A Guide to Success By Jaycie Bellamy 02/14/2025  In Career Resources
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Products
  • Products
  • Ductile Iron Pipe
    • Tyton® Joint Pipe
    • TR Flex® Restrained Joint Pipe
    • Mechanical Joint Pipe
    • Mechanical Joint Lock Joint Pipe
    • Fabricated Flange and Wall Pipe
    • Ball and Socket Joint Pipe
    • Long-Span Pipe
    • Permaloy™ Pipe
    • Seismic Flex Coupling™
  • Gaskets
    • Tyton® Gaskets
    • Mechanical Joint Gaskets
    • Flange Gaskets
    • Sure Stop 350® Gasket
    • Specialty Gaskets Service & Usage
  • Fabrication
    • Fabricated Flange and Wall Pipe
    • Grooved Pipe
    • Welded Outlet Pipe
    • Thread-o-Lets
    • Weld-On Boss
  • Fittings and Accessories
    • Bronze Wedge
    • Cable Bond
    • Pipe Joint Lubricant
    • Mechanical Joint Accessories
    • Seismic Flex Coupling™
    • TR Flex® Accessories
    • TR Flex® Fittings
    • V-Bio® Encasement
  • Linings
    • Cement-Mortar Lining
    • Glass Lining
    • Protecto 401™ Lining
    • Ceramapure™ PL90 Lining
  • Coatings
    • Asphaltic Coating
    • Zinc-Coating
    • Ceramawrap Coating
    • V-Bio® Enhanced Polyethylene Encasement
  • Technical Bulletins
  • Specifications
  • Certifications
  • Submittal Builder
  • Product Warranty
Learning Center
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  • Iron Strong Blog
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  • Ditch Doctor/FAQ
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  • Archived Catalogs
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