The choice of materials in water infrastructure is crucial in ensuring the system's durability and reliability and influencing operational costs. Water and wastewater treatment plants are typically the largest energy consumers for municipalities, accounting for 30 to 40% of total energy consumption. To protect their systems from overload, energy companies must implement rolling blackouts during extreme weather. This #IronStrong Blog discusses the benefits of using Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) in your utility water system and how its key advantages can save you money compared to other materials.
During a recent business trip, I noticed water being used randomly to combat the summer heat at various locations, construction sites, local sporting and recreational activities, fire safety, and public welfare. As I observed these activities, I wondered if the public understands how water gets from nature to human use and consumption. Most Americans can easily access a disinfected drinking water supply at home and the workplace. However, many do not know how public water treatment works before it reaches their glass. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, a federal law enacted in 1974 to protect drinking water quality in the United States. This act is crucial in ensuring that our water is safe and clean. To celebrate this milestone, I'm sharing this #IronStrong Blog, which explains water sources in general terms, the treatment of water, the public water distribution system, and the role Ductile iron pipe plays.
In a recent #IronStrong Blog published in September 2024, we discussed, in detail, how to measure horizontal distances between offsets within a Ductile iron (DI) pipeline segment. This blog will continue that discussion by addressing how to calculate the vertical distance between DI pipeline offsets.
Straight-line distances can sometimes be deceiving when examining a set of plans for a water or sewer project. This #IronStrong Blog will address how to determine the exact amount of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) needed when a change of direction due to horizontal offset fittings occurs.
Every day, millions of Americans turn on their faucets and receive safe, reliable drinking water. However, only a few realize just how much goes into the safe drinking water they are accustomed to. According to the 2023 U.N. World Water Development Report, around two billion people, or one in every four people on earth, do not have access to safe drinking water. Additionally, due to increased flooding and other natural disasters, around 3.5 billion people also live under water stress, where the demand for clean drinking water exceeds the available amount. In the United States, we celebrate National Water Quality Month each August. This year is also a special year for water quality as it marks the 50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act being signed into law. In this Iron Strong Blog, we will discuss the history of the Safe Drinking Water Act and how Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) has played an integral part in improving drinking water quality in the United States.
As a Sales Operations Manager in the waterworks industry, I recently attended the American Water Works Association's Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE24) in Anaheim, California. This annual conference focuses on product innovations and the latest technological advancements in water infrastructure.
"Do it safely or not at all." That is the McWane Way. At McWane Ductile, we are committed to providing a safe work environment for our employees. In this #IronStrong Blog, we will discuss the OHSA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), what it is, and why it is important to employers, employees, and you.
In today's competitive business world, talent development strategies are essential for growing a skilled workforce. Cooperative education programs or Co-Ops stand out as proactive initiatives that bridge the gap between academic learning and industry experience for many students who will eventually earn degrees and become job seekers. This #IronStrong blog explores the Co-Op program at McWane Ductile, a forward-thinking organization committed to nurturing talent. By examining this program's structure, benefits, and outcomes, this blog highlights how McWane Ductile integrates classroom theory with hands-on learning opportunities, preparing students for successful careers while attracting potential job candidates to the company.
Jimmy texts Bill, "I can't get into the virtual meeting." Bill replies, "You need to click on the link I sent you." Jimmy responds, "Where is the link?" A frustrated Bill answers, "In the email about the meeting." A confused Jimmy asks, "On my computer? Bill answers again, "Yes! Is your computer on?" Jimmy fumbles to turn on his computer and texts Bill again, "OK, it is now. How do I get to the meeting?" Does this situation sound familiar to you? Have you ever explained something to someone only to realize that they knew less about the subject than you had previously assumed? In this episode of Iron Strong, we'll cover how to use an OD (Outside Diameter) Tape when measuring Ductile iron pipe.
In the spring of 1993, I was 12 years old when a sudden illness swept through my family. It started with a subtle discomfort in my stomach, but within days, it escalated into a sickness that left us bedridden for over a week. Our entire neighborhood seemed to be ill.
Unknown to us, our proximity to the Howard Water Treatment Facility, one of Milwaukee's primary water treatment plants, was the source of our suffering. The news broke too late, revealing that the water flowing from this facility was contaminated with Cryptosporidium, resulting in an “Estimated 403,000 people falling ill” (The New England Journal of Medicine, 1994). Due to this experience, I know firsthand the importance of ensuring clean water is supplied throughout our nation’s distribution networks.
To learn more about this outbreak in Milwaukee, click here to be redirected to an interactive presentation.
In a continuous effort to make your job easier, we have developed an online submittal builder to quickly and neatly package your personalized presentation.
BUILD MY SUBMITTAL
Looking for answers to your DI pipe questions? Find decades of Ductile iron expertise with installation guides, videos, tip sheets, training resources, and more in our Learning Center.
GIVE ME ANSWERS
Stop struggling with those hard-to-figure field calculations and put ease and efficiency right at your fingertips with our Pocket Engineer for mobile and desktop devices.
CALCULATE NOW
McWane Ductile is proud to be a part of the McWane family of companies.
