Public Works articles from May 2000

Public Works archives from May 2000

Massachusetts keeps CRTs out of its landfills.(cathode ray tubes)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection announced new regulations that took effect April 1 and will promote the reuse and recycling of obsolete televisions and computer monitors. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) found in computer...

Great Lakes water levels continue to fall.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The International Joint Commission, which advises the U.S. and Canadian governments on water issues, warned that for the second year in a row, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River users will have to deal with a low water situation. The...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
May 1, 2000... Regarding the March 2000 "Editorial Viewpoint:" I take exception to the paper recently highlighted in the March 2000 issue of Public Works, asserting that light-duty trucks and sport-utility vehicles (LDTs/SUVs) adversely affect traffic...

The Clinton administration.(on use of filtration products by drinking water systems to prevent contamination)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... The Clinton administration has announced, for the first time, a rule to require small drinking water systems to install filtration systems to protect against microbial contaminants. The EPA said the rule would apply to water systems serving...

EPA.(on use of methyl tertiary butyl ether in gasoline)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... The EPA has announced a drive to significantly reduce or eliminate the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in gasoline. The 1992 Clean Air Act Amendments required reformulated gasoline to contain a certain level of oxygenates, and MTBE...

Campaign for Safe and Affordable Drinking Water.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... The Campaign for Safe and Affordable Drinking Water has issued a report alleging that many drinking water systems are failing to give consumers enough clear data about their drinking water supplies. The alliance of consumer, environmental, and...

Two recent lawsuits have gone for, and against, EPA.(sources of water pollution)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... A San Francisco federal judge has affirmed EPA's stance that it and the states are empowered to regulate "nonpoint sources of pollution" in rivers under the Clean Water Act's water quality standards program. Nonpoint sources are runoff from...

A drive in Congress.(to repeal gasoline tax)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... A drive in Congress to repeal 4.3 cents per gallon of the federal gasoline tax appears to have failed. Legislators in both houses sought repeal of a 4.3 cent gas tax increase that the Clinton administration pushed through Congress in 1993. It...

"Diesel Retrofit Program".(EPA)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... EPA has launched a voluntary initiative, the "Diesel Retrofit Program," to improve air emissions from older diesel engines in trucks, buses, and construction equipment. The agency said its goal was to get commitments from owners by the end of...

GIS AND PUBLIC WORKS: Toward Smarter Government.(geographic information systems)
May 1, 2000... "Today, business and government agencies face unrelenting pressure to improve their internal processes, products, and services under tight cost constraints. At the same time, these organizations are dealing with rapid change and technology...

PIPELINE'S MAJOR I/I Source Successfully Stopped.(inflow and infiltration - sanitary pipeline networks)
May 1, 2000... When I joined the Chanhassen Utilities Department 28 years ago, people considered our little community an isolated farming town. On 1960, just 244 people lived here. By 1970, our population had grown to 4,879. Potable water was supplied by one...

TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE: Multi-Source Funded Landfill Closings.(Boscawen, New Hampshire)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... Small, rural towns such as Boscawen. New Hampshire, are facing the challenges of closing unlined municipal landfills that were once permitted for use as unlined landfills. Cover systems, designed to protect groundwater and surface water...

COUNTY DEVELOPS YARD WASTE PROGRAM FOR TAMING DISPOSAL COSTS.
May 1, 2000... Last year public works department officials in Chatham County, Georgia waited somewhat anxiously to see how residents of its unincorporated area would respond to a new yard waste recycling program that required them to separate waste materials....

COMMINGLED COLLECTION PARTNERSHIP: A Better Way to Recycle.
May 1, 2000... What is automated, commingled, curbside and embraced by 76 percent of residents in the city of Virginia Beach? (Hint: It's bigger than a breadbox but fits nicely into 115.000, 95-gallon recycle carts.) It is Virginia Beach's customized...

ROADSIDES BENEFIT FROM A LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM.
May 1, 2000... Many municipalities have problems with their tree replacement programs because they are required by state statute to operate on a low-bid, annual process. Each year local governments operating under both these constraints must select trees from...

NEW OVERLAY USED TO FIGHT ASR CORROSION.
May 1, 2000... Two three-lane feeder roads to Beltway Eight, one of Houston, Texas' busiest perimeter highways, needed restoration due to severe spalling. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) had to rehabilitate the worn roads, but time was a major...

UNDERGROUND EXPLOSION NECESSITATES BLUEPRINT FOR DAMAGE CONTROL.
May 1, 2000... Baltimore, Maryland, quickly established a plan of action after an underground explosion destroyed a major downtown street intersection and knocked out several utility lines below it. Baltimore's Mayor Kurt Schmoke and Public Works Director...

PW UPDATE: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
May 1, 2000... Periodically, I am reminded that not all public (and probably some private) organizations have gotten the word about software acquisition. This was brought to my attention most recently when I was involved in examining the IT operations of a...

Business Class Trucks.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The Business Class truck is said to provide the perfect platform for refuse and recycling applications: "With their maneuverability and superb visibility, Business Class vehicles are ideally suited to operate on crowded city streets and in...

Low Cab Forward Truck.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The Model 320 low cab forward truck's features benefit the driver and the service manager. Ergonomically designed dash places gauges where they are easy to read and switches are within comfortable reach. LED lightbar boasts lifetime...

Super-Duty Trucks.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Three cab configurations, three tough diesels, three GVWRS, and a rugged frame design are the task-oriented attributes of the big Super Duty F-650/750 Series. They offer a roomy, comfortable cab and the kind of ride and performance that will...

Acterra Medium-Duty.
May 1, 2000... This company says its Acterra medium-duty trucks provide the same cab roominess, driver ergonomics, visibility, and durability found on the company's heavy-duty trucks, plus a low cab step-in height, impressive maneuverability, and an extensive...

4000 Refuse Truck Features Fully Electronic Engine.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The International 4000 refuse truck comes with a fully electronic engine for maximum uptime and fuel economy. Driver fatigue is reduced with a low first step height. A roomy cab and efficient heating and defrosting ensure driver comfort. Front...

Rear Loader Bodies.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... This firm supplies a variety of rear loaders, including the 2RII, Alpha, Beta, and Delta models. The full-eject Beta (pictured) for residential and limited commercial applications comes in sizes from 16 to 25 cu yd. Features include 3-cu yd...

Weed and Brush Cutter.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The uniquely styled 800 Series Hi-Wheel weed and brush cutter is designed to handle anything from grass to 6-ft high weeds and saplings up to 1-1/2 in. in diameter. It not only knocks down the offending growth, but also chops it into pieces....

Desludge Automatically.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... At this company's Web site (www.sludgecontrols.com), see an animation showing how to fully automate the desludge pump in gravity clarifiers, Lamellars, and DAF thickeners. The microprocessor-based Model 602 has no moving parts, 4-20 ma output,...

Stops Skateboard Damage.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... [SkateBlocks.sup.TM] are 2- to 3-in. metal cast disks and strips that attach to walls, planters, benches, and handrails to deprive skaters of a smooth grinding surface. The bronze, brass, or aluminum cast devices are easily secured to features...

Stop Treating Groundwater.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Place a Prime Pan under your manhole covers to block surface water, dirt, and debris from entering your system. It fits standard frame sizes (24-, 27-, 30-, and 32-in.). Installs and removes quickly with no special tools needed. Neoprene...

Wastewater Screening Grinder.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The rugged and versatile Screening Grinder Taskmaster 1600 was specially designed to use in wastewater plants. This twin-shaft shredder performs exceptionally under the toughest conditions, says the company. Applications include gravity or...

Telescoping Crane.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The 6620 telescopic crane comes standard with a proportional radio remote control, allowing for precise crane control. The remote handle also includes engine start/stop functions and emergency shut-off. The 6620 offers two hydraulic extensions...

Ergonomically Enhanced Saw.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The True Blue S-46 HydraSaw is easy to use for both horizontal and vertical cuts. The S-16 HydraSaw boasts a heavy-duty hydraulic motor for constant cutting speed under load, a 6-in. cut depth, and a trigger lockout for operator protection....

PC ARC/INFO 4.0 Available with User-Requested Features.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... PC ARC/INFO 4.0 gives users full GIS functionality for managing, analyzing, displaying, and mapping of geographic information on the desktop. PC ARC/INFO 4.0 introduces 32-bit Windows executables, markedly improving processing speed on Windows...

Rear Discharge Finish Mowers Available in Three Models.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2000... Turf Batwing flexible wing finish mowers come in three models: 714 RD, featuring seven spindles and cutting width of 12 ft; 918 RD, nine spindles, cutting width of 15 ft; and 9204 RD, nine spindles, cutting width of 17 ft. They can cut up to...

Rotating Pipe Cutters.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... These rotating pipe cutters for steel, cast iron, and ductile iron pipes are made lighter and more compact by using forged body sections. The link-style design allows the cutters to cover a wider range of sizes. Available in 3- to 8-in. and 8-...

Earth-Measuring Software.(new products)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2000... Roadwork and Trenchwork are two new earth-measuring software products designed to work with the company's Estimator 5.0. Both Roadwork and Trenchwork calculate cut and fill quantities quickly and accurately. Volumes, end areas, topsoil...

pH Controller Avoids Overshoot.(Model 2200P pH controller)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2000... The Model 2200P pH controller features dual 5-amp independent relays that are individually programmable for true bi-directional control. Relay A has an additional attribute to avoid overshooting. Its adjustable on/off timer produces a "cycling...

Effort launched to build new GIS for the Indiana DOT.(geographic information system)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... As part of a $1.6-million contract, ESRI (Redlands, California) is implementing an enterprise GIS for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). The project, which began in June 1999 and is expected to continue for several years,...

"Focus on the Future".(public works department operations)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... Participants wanted for "Focus on the Future," a survey targeting public works department operations, efficiency. Ten years ago, CitiTech Systems, Inc. conducted a national survey of public works department officials and their day-to-day...

Stormwater BMP database guides data collection efforts.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... The National Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Database software package, Version 1.0, is currently being distributed by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stormwater...

Second largest water treatment DBO contract awarded.(to USFilter)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 1, 2000... A team led by USFilter has been awarded a long-term contract to design, build, and operate (DBO) a 60-mgd, state-of-the-art regional surface water treatment plant for Tampa Bay Water. The $135-million contract includes approximately $79 million...

Consultant completes master planning and design guidelines for riverwalk.(PBS&J, Jupiter Riverwalk, Jupiter, FL)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2000... PBS&J (Winter Park, Florida) has completed the master planning and design guidelines phase for the Jupiter Riverwalk, a centerpiece for the town of Jupiter, Florida. This linearly configured project is designed to incorporate parks as well as...

LEGAL ASPECTS OF PUBLIC WORKS.
May 1, 2000... Repositioning a pipeline, protecting natural resources, and invoking eminent domain. In the appeal of Williams Pipeline Company vs. Soo Line Railroad Company, et al., the Minnesota district court has jurisdiction to consider challenges brought...