Public Works articles from April 2000

Public Works archives from April 2000

Engineering competition attracting more girls.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The National Engineers Week Future City [Competition.sup.TM], a nonprofit educational program that each year introduces thousands of American school students to the role of engineering in society, now has as many girls participating as boys....

Los Angeles County seeks to control runoff.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... In what may indicate a growing trend, some communities are requiring developers to install systems to control runoff from new building construction. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board...

Regarding the March 2000 Washington Report:.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The "Washington Report" in the March 2000 issue of Public Works reported that the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee is expected to take a hard look at the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as an oxygenate in reformulated...

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has alleged that tens of millions of Americans are drinking water tainted with arsenic.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... It said it will sue the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to strengthen its standards, and the White House's Office of Management and Budget for allegedly blocking EPA efforts to issue a rule. The NRDC said its analysis of EPA...

Congress has blasted the EPA for proposing a $550 million reduction in spending for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program in its fiscal 2001 budget.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The administration only requested $800 million for the program, which funds state programs for local governments to build sewage treatment and other water quality projects. Congress is expected to restore the full funding, as it did last year....

Separately, the AWWA also complained that EPA's budget did not earmark any funds for cleaning water supplies contaminated with methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The additive in reformulated gasoline has spoiled some water supplies in areas where underground tanks have leaked. AWWA has estimated that cleaning MTBE from water sources could cost more than $1 billion. Meanwhile, EPA has shifted its...

A Food and Drug Administration draft report recommends bottled water labels contain data on the contents and information on how to contact the bottler.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... FDA is expected to issue a final report on the issue later this year. Currently, water bottlers are not required to inform the public about the quality of their water. The paper said bottlers should not be required to provide all the data...

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has praised water treatment and disinfection as one of the four greatest engineering achievements of the 20th Century.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... In April 1999 the Center for Disease Control listed improved water treatment as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th Century. AWWA said, "Without question, the disinfection of public water supplies has made America a...

A CANADIAN CITY FIGHTS SNOW AND ICE: DIGGING DEEP.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Sault Ste. Marie is an industrial town in Northern Ontario, Canada. With a population of 80,000, the Sault, as it is popularly called, is a medium-sized municipality by Canadian standards. Algoma Steel, the third largest steel mill in the...

LAKE LEVEL CONTROLLED WITH Trechless Siphon Installation.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Sliplining and cured-in-place and reformed-deformed lining systems have been used routinely for several years to rehabilitate deteriorating water and sewer pipes. Recently, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) methods are being recognized as...

CITY PERFORMS ITS OWN Trenchless Work.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Minneapolis, Minnesota, owns and operates 830 miles of sewer lines with 11 pumping stations and about 110,000 sewer connections. Of that 830 miles of pipe, about 200 miles either needs, or will need, to be lined. Before 1997, the city used...

USING TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY TO Protect Tree Roots.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Many folks reminisce about the good old days. Not me. Trenchless technology makes right now my good old days, at least, when I think about roots and underground utilities. Trenching in tree roots can be devastating to the health and stability...

SHORELINE AND SLOPE EROSION CONTROL WITH Soil Bioengineering.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Soil bioengineering is the installation of living plant material as a main structural component in controlling problems of land instability where erosion and sedimentation are occurring. Soil bioengineering largely uses native plants collected...

PROTECTING LANDFILLS FROM Slope Erosion.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... When it came time to close two large county landfills in North Carolina, the design engineer faced an important challenge: protecting the top and side slopes from erosion, thereby keeping the cover soil in place and the waste covered. Covering...

WEB-BASED GIS BRINGS Intelligent Data to the Desktop.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Grande Prairie is a leading commercial center for Northwestern Alberta, Canada. With an estimated trading population of over 175,000, the city is beginning to realize its full potential. The city had been conducting a thorough data collection...

GIS - BASED MANAGEMENT TAMING LANDFILL DATA.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... More stringent state and federal regulations are forcing landfill owners to develop stricter monitoring programs for groundwater, leachate, landfill gas, and outfalls, as well as to submit extensive periodic reports to state agencies. To keep...

TECHNOLOGY SEES INTO Confined Spaces.
April 1, 2000... Few public works professionals enjoy going into confined areas, and perhaps none enjoy sending other people there. The reason is simple; confined areas can be dangerous. Yet, every day workers enter these dangerous places. Many of these...

A TO-DO LIST FOR A SUCCESSFUL GPS Utility Inventory.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Conducting a utility inventory using GPS technology is fast becoming a priority for public works directors and utility engineers. The need for utility inventories is expected to increase further in response to a governmental mandate issued June...

TEAM CONCEPT SUCCEEDS WITH Pavement Management.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Aspen, Colorado, familiar to most as a ski haven for the rich and famous, actually has roots hailing back to silver mining days. When the silver market dropped in the late 1800s, Aspen was eventually reborn as a cultural and later, a skiing...

ENCOURAGING GEESE TO Find Another Home.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... People and Canada geese are increasingly competing for the same turf. They like the same golf greens and fairways, parks and recreational areas, school athletic fields, meticulously landscaped public plazas, and residential communities. Even at...

An Illinois contractor achieves growth through specialization.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Tucked away in Mt. Carmel, in southern Illinois, is a company and fleet of equipment that rank among the nation's largest when it comes to soil stabilization. Mt. Carmel Sand & Gravel Inc. has been a leader in soil stabilization for 50 years....

Fleet Management System.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The [Boss.sup.TM] fleet management information system uses GPS technology to provide reliable, irrefutable facts to manage your fleet more effectively, and complete driver accountability. The Boss automatically records, stores, and retrieves...

Local Government Data Fulfillment Center.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... MAP2MAP is a web "node" that enables engineers to query for available digital map data by state, county/city, and data type. Data sources are local governments interested in funding their digital mapping operations from their share of digital...

GPS Survey System.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Radian is a new high-accuracy GPS comprehensive surveying solution. Created for use in real-time kinematic applications, such as land survey and construction stakeout, it combines GPS technology with the powerful SDR33 Electronic Field Book(R)...

Combination Tracking System.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Two new personal and fleet tracking services are available for [NavTalk.sup.TM], a combination GPS and cellular telephone. Both services display a NavTalk user's location on a detailed street map. For a monthly service charge, you can track an...

Dual-Frequency GPS Receiver.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The GP-DX1, dual-frequency GPS receiver comes standard with OTF for RTK, 4 Mb of memory, RTCM in and NMEA out. The GP-DX1 uses a lightweight aluminum housing that can be packaged in the company's standard GIS style backpack or used in a fanny...

Integrated Survey System.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The GPS Total Station(R) 4800 packages this firm's real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS survey technology in a lightweight system that has no external cables, batteries, or antennas. The system's dual-frequency receiver, [Micro-centered.sup.TM] GPS...

Handheld GIS Data Collection.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... With two-meter accuracy and extensive data collection capabilities, the ProMARK [X.sup.TM] is billed as an economical, all-in-one solution for your positioning and data collection needs. It is configured with 10 parallel receiver channels and...

Controls Stormwater Discharges.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Snout flow restrictor for controlling stormwater discharges keeps trash and debris from creating blockages thanks to its vertical riser, housed within a Snout hood. As an additional benefit, water quality is improved as floatables, oil...

Improved Brush Chipper.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Model 280XP hydraulic feed, disc-style chipper is now equipped with a new hydraulic feed system that provides 60 percent more hydraulic pulling power. The top and bottom feed wheels both have new knife-style teeth that more aggressively...

Snowplows fur Skid-Steers.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Pro Series snowplows are for use with 20+ hp compact utility tractors, smaller skid-steers, and 20- to 60-hp skid steers. Four widths offered: 5, 6, 7, and 8 ft. The Pro Series' floating blade design allows semi-down pressure--putting weight...

"Aggressor" Snowplow.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Aggressor snow plow is designed to meet the heavy-duty needs of municipalities. It incorporates 8 vertical support ribs and 3 trip springs to provide the necessary support to withstand the harshest punishment. The Aggressor moldboard is...

Versatile Spray System.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... This multi-use pickup truck mounted spray system can be used to apply both snow and ice removal chemicals and vegetation liquids. The electrically-powered 10.4-gpm unit features a powder-coated steel platform with either a 210-, 325-, or...

Hanging File System.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Jalema vertical hanging file system manages and stores blueprints, drawings, maps, film, and other large format material. Files (10 different sizes) are made of durable Kraft linerboard with a dust flap, with most having double pockets....

Improved Walk-Behind.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... HD Series walk-behind mowers are now easier to use and more productive. The 14-hp HD45 and 17-hp HD75 come equipped with an overhead-valve, 4-cycle, gas engine that provides easy starting, improved fuel efficiency, lower noise levels, and...

Concrete Repair Material.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Smooth and easy troweling RevCrete(r) is a multi-purpose concrete repair material that works equally well indoors or out, on wet or dry surfaces. Use it to reform curbs and steps, patch shallow holes, and resurface floors and walks. When cured,...

Mini-Excavators.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Metz/Hinowa mini-excavator is described as compact, inexpensive to operate and maintain, and user friendly. It comes in five different models powered by water-cooled Perkins diesels from 9 to 43 lip, with digging depths from 5 ft 5 in. to...

Wastewater Evaporator.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... This evaporator transfers wastewater from a collection tank and automatically and efficiently evaporates it in the stainless steel evaporation chamber. All that remains is a condensed, residual slurry that can be easily disposed of. No sewer...

Hydraulic Excavators Introduced.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The 86-hp, 28,000-lb PC128US-2 and the 128-hp, 50,485-lb PC228USLC-2 excavators with their tight tail swing radius are designed to work in congested and confined areas with the same productivity and lift capacity as their standard counterparts....

Fast Setting Cement.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Fast Set Cement is used to produce fast turnaround, high-performance concrete or mortar for repairing pavements and related structures. Concrete or mortar made with Fast Set Cement is said to produce high early strengths, low shrinkage, and...

Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The [SymBio.sup.TM] process for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in a single tank uses a sensor to maintain a low dissolved oxygen (0.2 to 0.6 ppm) by matching the air demand and as a result, creates conditions for simultaneous...

High-Build Acrylic Coating is Water Based.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Rust-O-Crylic(r) 5700 System elastomeric mastic acrylic coating is a water-based, high-build acrylic that can be applied in one coat at 25 mils wet film thickness direct to metal, copper, lead, and concrete. When diluted with 25 percent...

Asphalt Roller with ROPS.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The 18-hp [WolfPac.sup.TM] 3100 asphalt roller can now be ordered with ROPS (rollover protection). The 94-in. high ROPS option joins the 4-in-1 control as one of this machine's many operator-friendly features. The two-drum roller includes a...

Portable Roll Groover.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The VE266FS portable roll groover is for use with 1- to 12-in. lightwall carbon steel pipe, standard wall stainless steel pipe, Schedule 40 and 80 PVC pipe, and Schedule 40 aluminum pipe. It can be operated with a hydraulic hand pump or mounted...

Project Management Software.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... This firm announces the availability of version 1.5 of its enterprise project management software suite, Primavera Enterprise, for empowering project-driven industries such as utilities and construction to proactively plan and control all of...

Improved Litter Collector.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Model 231-D vacuum litter collection vehicle uses a new, strengthened, fully robotic vacuum arm controlled by joystick at the operator's fingertips. The arm pivots 180[degrees] around the vehicle, covering a 17-in. wide path. The machine's...

New Backhoe Loaders.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The 310E and 310SE backhoe loaders are said to feature superior hydraulic systems and structural designs making them smoother, quicker, and more productive. Key improvements include a more powerful engine, greater lift capacity and digging...

Special Dry Pit Pumps.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Leakage at the point of cable entry in these dry pit pumps has been virtually eliminated by a two-part system. First, a galvanized strain-relief clamp--which works in conjunction with an independent grommet inside the motor housing that fully...

Tandem Vibratory Roller.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The new compact BOMAG BW138AD tandem vibratory roller has an operating weight of 9,259 lb, resulting in higher static linear load and exceptional static rolling on tender or thin pavement layers, says the company. The 44-hp diesel-powered...

Compact Service Body.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Model H-108 service body is mounted on a 2000 Ford F-350 Super Duty SRW 4x2 chassis cab (9,900 lb GVWR). The truck features 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive or 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, 7.3 L diesel engine or 5.4 L...

Short Radius Excavator.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Ultra compact, yet powerful, the 36.6-hp diesel-powered EX50U excavator gets in close to obstacles like walls and pavement for parallel digging without straddling. Fill in trenches or level excavated areas with the standard 6-ft 7-in. dozer...

Company to operate city's water and wastewater treatment facilities.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Fort Lupton, Colorado, city council has approved a contract for Operations Management International, Inc. (OMI), Greenwood Village, Colorado, to operate the city's water and wastewater treatment facilities for five years. The contract is...

Need to know more about septic tanks?(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... A videotape titled "Dollars Down the Drain: Caring for your Septic Tank" is now available from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC), West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. Produced by Friends of the Crooked River, the...

Foundation helps fund first phase of creek restoration project.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Evergreen Foundation is contributing $25,000 to the Mill Creek Restoration Project (MCRP) in cash and in-kind services to help the group develop the Caldwell-Seymour Greenway. When completed, the Greenway will connect Caldwell Park with the...

Historic brick arch to undergo repairs.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The city of Rochester, New Hampshire has retained CLD Consulting Engineers, Inc. (Manchester, New Hampshire) to design repairs to a brick arch culvert and reconstruction of NH Route 108 (South Main Street). The historic brick arch is near the...

Contract awarded for non-disruptive sewer repair.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The city of Atlanta, Georgia has decided to complete most sewer repairs through early 2001 using non-disruptive methods that do not require digging up the damaged pipe. The city has awarded a $5.2-million contract to Insituform Technologies,...

Consultant to design complex CSO facility.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... Metcalf & Eddy (Wakefield, Massachusetts) will provide comprehensive design, construction administration, and project management services for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's (MWRA) proposed Union Park Detention/Treatment facility...

Parcel map conversion services contract awarded.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The village of Rantoul, Illinois has awarded a contract to The Sidwell Company (St. Charles, Illinois) to perform parcel map conversion services, and to develop an ARC/INFO(R) based (ESRI, Redlands, California) GIS project. The parcel map...

Consultant to provide underground storage tank remediation services.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The San Diego, California Department of Public works has chosen Gradient Engineers, Inc. (Irvine, California) to provide environmental engineering services for 25 county facilities with former or existing underground fuel storage tanks. ...

County to look at communications demand.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2000... The Arlington County, Virginia Department of Public Works has awarded a contract to PB Farradyne Inc. (Rockville, Maryland) for telecommunications network planning and engineering services. The work involves analyzing the county's...

State agency accused of unauthorized rulemaking.
April 1, 2000... In the case of L & D Trucking, et al., Respondents, vs. Minnesota Department of Transportation, et al., Appellants, the appellants challenged the district court's orders holding the Minnesota Department of Transportation in contempt of two...

ANTI-ICING WITH SALT BRINE: A KEY TOOL FOR WINTER MAE NTENANCE ARSENALS.
April 1, 2000... A relatively new weapon in the snowfighter's arsenal in North America is anti-icing. But it has a long history of keeping European roads safe and passable. Anti-icing measures take place before snow falls and ice forms on the roadway. They...