A common question that many sales reps in the Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) industry have heard over the years is, "Are you sure you’ve quoted the 3” and 4” pipe correctly?” Once that price is confirmed, the follow-up question from the customer is usually “Why in the world does it cost so much?” Well, there are many reasons for the higher cost, and in this Iron Strong Blog, we will offer some insight into that question.
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.
Over the last few years, the world has been affected by many things, and the ongoing repercussions are still seen today. These effects also impacted the waterworks industry and the handling of pipe stock and pipe yards. During that time, we witnessed delays in the supply chain and extended lead times. Manufacturers and distributors were keen on getting pipe in their yards and holding more quantities and sizes than ever. Pipe and gaskets then began to sit for longer periods. Due to the durable nature of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), sitting idle did not affect the product, but the lack of use for pipe gaskets was more apparent.
At McWane Ductile, we are proud to manufacture the strongest, most durable, and most flexible piping material available to the waterworks industry. Even with these great attributes, we still take great care when handling Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe). In this Iron Strong Blog, we’ll cover some key tips to safely handling your DI pipe once it arrives at your job site and throughout the construction or your pipeline project.
With the turn of the calendar into a new year, many people have already started planning for the coming months. Whether planning that warm weather vacation to take a mental break from the snow and ice many of us are experiencing or planning our grocery list for the week ahead, good planning leads to successful outcomes. This preparation is also the case with water utility projects.
Jerry, Sept 24, 2022; I'm sitting on the beach near the northern tip of Captiva Island, Florida. I’m on vacation with my wife, enjoying the warm sun, dolphins playing, and birds feeding as if there was no care in the world. Admittedly, most people in the area were already aware of the tropical storm developing in the Caribbean Sea and wondered, will the storm become a hurricane?
The water industry in the United States has experienced many challenges throughout the years. The good news is that these challenges have been met head-on by experienced, dedicated professionals who continue to provide their customers with clean, safe drinking water even though the bar of excellence continues to rise. One measure depicting the priority of these challenges is the State of the Water Industry Survey, conducted annually by the American Water Works Association. “AWWA’s State of the Water Industry (SOTWI) Survey is designed to identify water sector challenges and investigate possible underlying causes and drivers. In November 2022, when the survey closed, 4,123 water professionals had shared their opinions by responding to the survey—our highest number of responses yet!”(1)
The landscapes and environments in which we live are constantly changing, and ensuring that resilient infrastructure is in place to support local communities is a priority for all cities. In regions where natural disasters occur and pose significant threats, such as wildfires and earthquakes, and as seen most recently in areas such as Lahaina, Hawaii, and the Palisades in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County, California, Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) has proven to be a durable and reliable choice for water infrastructure. This article will discuss why selecting the proper material for underground infrastructure is crucial in combating natural disasters and enabling communities to respond more effectively with a reliable source of potable water and vital fire protection.
As a manufacturer of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), we often field questions from water professionals regarding DI pipe, its uses, and how to install it properly. We even receive numerous questions about alternate materials, their differences, their uses, and the best choice for the application. And of course, when you ask, we answer…honestly, even when the answer doesn’t include Ductile iron. In this Iron Strong Blog, we’ll cover a few of our frequently asked questions (FAQ) and provide some solutions. We will continue with this FAQ series in the upcoming months.
It’s National Engineers Week (EWeek). Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1951, (EWeek) is dedicated to promoting careers in engineering and technology to develop a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce. This #IronStrong Blog spotlights the importance of engineers and how they impact the waterworks industry.
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