Public Works articles from October 2005

Public Works archives from October 2005

A losing bet.(Editorial)
October 1, 2005... Life is a risky business. Every moment of every day brings some level of risk. When we design a building or a water treatment plant or a levee, we accept and try to define the risk. We know that there will be situations where the stresses on...

Engineering legends profiled.(News & Views)
October 1, 2005... Engineering Legends: Great American Civil Engineers details the history and progress of 32 American civil engineers from the 1700s to the present. The book explores their personal lives and professional accomplishments, including their...

Publication outlines NYC privatization.(News & Views)
October 1, 2005... Privatization in the City: Successes, Failures, Lessons examines the evolution and implementation of former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani's privatization program in the face of a city council generally hostile to privatization. The...

Pipe demand to top 16 billion feet in 2009.(DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION)
October 1, 2005... Overall pipe demand is expected to increase 2.4% annually to 16.4 billion feet in 2009 as a result of continued highway and street construction, stricter water management regulations, and the need to replace or expand aging or obsolete sewer,...

Data sought for drinking water contaminants.(RULES & REGULATIONS)
October 1, 2005... Twenty-six unregulated contaminants will be monitored by U.S. drinking water suppliers under a new rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This second cycle of the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 2) also...

Recycling awareness campaign lands award.(COMMUNITY)
October 1, 2005... The Solid Waste Association of North America awarded the city of San Diego's Environmental Services Department (ESD) the 2005 Bronze Excellence Award in marketing for the department's "Recycle Or Else" education campaign. [ILLUSTRATION...

Miami-Dade taps female PW director.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2005... Miami-Dade County--one of the largest in the country--has appointed longtime employee Esther Calas as its new director of public works. Calas, who joined the department in 1976 as an engineering drafter, replaces Aristides Rivera, who is...

Amex publishes water index.(News & Views)
October 1, 2005... The American Stock Exchange has begun publishing the Palisades Water Index, an index comprising publicly traded companies engaged in the global water industry. The index is a modified equal weighted index including companies whose businesses...

Association offers one-click pavement information.(News & Views)
October 1, 2005... The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) now offers a wealth of information on pavements at www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement. The topic-based Web site provides detailed information on everything from pavement design and construction to maintenance...

Landfill leachate program garners award.(OPERATIONS)
October 1, 2005... A North Carolina county's biological treatment of landfill leachate has received a National Association of Counties 2005 Achievement Award. New Hanover County's system provides treatment of up to 60,000 gallons of leachate per day, which...

Landfill-gas-to-energy project wins recognition.(COMMUNITY)
October 1, 2005... A landfill-gas-to-energy project in Florida has been designated Project of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Gainesville, Fla.-based Jones Edmunds & Associates received the award for its work on the project in...

Call for environmental engineering entries.(News & Views)
October 1, 2005... The American Academy of Environmental Engineers is seeking entries for its 19th Annual Excellence in Environmental Engineering Awards. The competition recognizes projects or programs that demonstrate a holistic environmental perspective;...

Watershed-protection handbook.(News & Views)
October 1, 2005... Community-Based Watershed Management: Lessons from the National Estuary Program is an update to Saving Bays and Estuaries, which was published in 1989. Distributed by the EPA, the new publication seeks to address questions about managing...

Nevada plans improved water supply.(OPERATIONS)
October 1, 2005... The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) has tapped Broomfield, Colo.-based MWH to design a new water supply intake in Lake Mead that will provide drought protection and water-quality improvements for more than 1 million residents of southern...

Ohio builds membrane bioreactor plant.(DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION)
October 1, 2005... The city of Delphos, Ohio, is constructing a new wastewater treatment plant, expected to cost $30 million. The plant's design will feature an innovative membrane bioreactor system, which will include 52,000 individual filtering membranes to...

Facing the challenges of equipment replacement.(Ideas & Opinions/Fleets)
October 1, 2005... If you're a fleet manager, correctly funding your equipment replacement needs is a task that presents a number of challenges. For one, you've got to peer into the future and estimate when you'll need new equipment. And if you "rent" equipment...

No big deal: how public works departments in small towns handle a major event.(Special report)(Cover Story)
October 1, 2005... When an event brings more people into a small town than the normal population, the public works department has to be ready. Water, wastewater, trash, roads, parks--all are impacted far beyond their originally intended capacity. Here's how two...

Wet weather tools: blending helps meet water quality standards.(Water treatment)
October 1, 2005... A downpour can elicit many emotions, but only those in public works think of rain in terms of overloaded sewers and surcharged manholes. Sometimes even the forecast of rain can bring about visions of backed-up basements, overflowing inlets, and...

Considering ConOps? How to decide if it's right for you.(Privatization)
October 1, 2005... In recent years, abrupt, contentious, and widely publicized terminations of contract operations (ConOps) agreements for water systems in Atlanta, New Orleans, and other municipalities have raised many questions regarding this form of facility...

Demanding a better way: the benefits of water demand forecasting.(Water distribution)
October 1, 2005... Water is an economically scarce, environmentally sensitive resource. Limited options for new water sources, increasing regulations on quality, and significant growth in demand are challenges faced by those who plan the future needs of our...

Connecting with wood: Oregon timber bridge reflects beauty of the forest.(Bridges & culverts)
October 1, 2005... Many bridge designers are turning back the clock to produce graceful reminders of the past, when timber bridges were often the main crossings over America's streams. City, county, and state officials are specifying more wood structures because...

Building buy-in: approach generates more bang for just a few more bucks.(Constituent relations)
October 1, 2005... Flood control is a hard sell in a desert, says Scott Vogel. As a civil engineer with the Flood Control District of Arizona's Maricopa County, he knows what he's talking about. Average annual precipitation in the Phoenix area is a mere 7.7...

Not your average landfill.(Products Solving Problems)
October 1, 2005... High Point, N.C., and its municipally operated landfill are somewhat of an anomaly. Sandwiched between and less than 20 miles away from Greensboro and Winston-Salem, both at least twice its population, you might expect High Point to fall into...

Vacuums save time, money.(Products Solving Problems)
October 1, 2005... Albuquerque, N.M., evokes images of spectacular western panoramas, desert sunsets, and Native American culture. This natural beauty was put in jeopardy in the late 1980s. Population in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County had been...

Barrier provides a clear solution.(Products Solving Problems)
October 1, 2005... In a place known for pristine mountain views and limited sunlight, the Alaska DOT (ADOT) chose an alternative approach for the construction of a highway noise barrier that runs along 4000 feet of heavily traveled highway bordering Anchorage...

Getting tough on graffiti.(Products Solving Problems)
October 1, 2005... More than two years after the completion of an important Los Angeles public works project, the contributions of a chemical manufacturer continue to contribute to the city's landscape. The manufacturer developed a solution that helped save the...

High-volume pumps.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... The Dri-Prime line of pumps includes four models that offer elevated heads. They can handle solids without sacrificing high-volume pumping. The four units--the 4-inch CD103M, 6-inch CD160M, 8-inch CD225M, and 12-inch CD300M--handle flows from...

Open-hopper pump.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... This open-hopper pump is capable of transporting dewatered sludge cake. It can handle municipal sludge with more than 50% solids. The BHTE design uses a feed auger that operates apart from the pump rotor shaft, enabling it to operate...

High-efficiency submersible pumps.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... N-Pumps feature a hydraulic design that provides efficient, reliable pumping over long periods of continuous operation. The impeller design enables each unit to maintain pumping efficiency even when pumping fluids with high solids and fibrous...

Submersible grinder pumps.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... These pumps have a grinding mechanism that reduce sewage particulate and pumps the resulting slurry through small-pressure sewer collection lines, or from lift stations in gravity sewer systems. The units--in sizes from 1 to 7 1/2 hp--feature a...

Quiet-running pump.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... The PA6C60-4045T-ESP pump features sound attenuation, environmental containment base, and high performance. It provides flow rates up to 2850 gallons per minute, heads up to 200 feet, and can handle 3-inch solids. It can run dry indefinitely...

High-solids pump.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... The 2000 CC pump features a sealed-gear universal joint drivetrain and optimized rotor/stator pumping element geometry. The pump is suitable for applications calling for close-coupled configuration and the robustness of a gear joint drive. The...

Heavy-duty pumps.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... CHOPX Series rugged pumps simultaneously chop and pump solids, eliminating the need for grinders and comminutors. The impeller has cutting edges on the front and back to permit the reduction of solids passing through the pump while eliminating...

Self-priming chopper pumps.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... The company has released two high-volume, self-priming chopper pumps. The 8- and 10-inch units are capable of flows up to 6000 gallons per minute, at up to 70% efficiency, with a 22-foot priming lift. Features include replaceable volutes,...

Magnetic-drive pump.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... Webster R Series magnetic drive pumps feature all-plastic construction, ensuring process fluid never comes in contact with metal, so that the pump never fails due to rust or corrosion. The pumps are designed to endure aggressive, demanding use....

Vertical turbine pump.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... Vertical turbine solids-handling pumps have a single-sump, set-well design that eliminates the need for additional dry-sump, suction piping, dehumidification, and sump pumps, reducing costs. They can be used in sewage and raw-water lift...

Peristaltic metering pump.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... This brushless, digital peristaltic metering pump is encased in sealed, chemical-resistant housing, making it suitable for a range of water-treatment process environments, including those using sodium hypochlorite. The design eliminates the...

High-volume, low-pressure pumps.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... Adony mechanically actuated metering pumps offer +/-1.5% flows up to 590 gallons per hour and pressures to 145 psig. The high-volume, low-pressure design makes the units well suited for water and wastewater treatment. The diaphragm's molded...

Grinder pump.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... The Omnivore 2-hp grinder pump provides more than 300,000 cuts per minute and aggressively shreds difficult solids into fine slurry. Its unique open-volute design eliminates the cut-water, improving solids flow and reducing the potential for...

Packaged pump systems.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... The company offers bundled pumping systems with variable frequency drive controls. The-line includes 4- to 24-inch turbine and submersible pumps, jets, centrifugals, and other configurations, with capacities of up to 12,500 gallons per minute,...

Square-link snow chains.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... All-Square snow chains feature a sturdy, square-link construction that provides a high degree of endurance and traction under severe conditions. The chains are made of a high alloy content with Titan-Grip steel, which feature a hardness similar...

Stainless-steel tanks.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... The company offers a method for onsite construction of circular, stainless-steel storage tanks, reservoirs, and silos. Steel coils are shipped directly from the mill to the site. The top and bottom longitudinal edges are bent to reduce bulging...

Gas shutoff system.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... The Hexacon Model II control system quickly closes as many as six of the company's Eclipse actuators on toxic gas cylinder and ton-container valves when activated by panic buttons or remote sensors. The product applies 30 foot-pounds of torque...

Aerial platform and crane.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... The L60 aerial work platform and crane offers continuous rotation and turret-mounted lower controls (for better line-of-sight, in-crane operation). The self-leveling platform has a working height of 62 feet, and the crane has a capacity of 5900...

Ultrafiltration systems.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... These ultrafiltration (UF) systems use hollow-fiber membranes, which have two modes: production, in which feed is forced through to make the product; and backwash, where some filtrate is forced back through the membranes to remove any solids....

Ice prevention overlay.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... SafeLane anti-icing pavement overlay is designed to help maintain roads, bridges, parking ramps, or any ice-prone surface. When liquid deicer is applied to a combination of epoxy and aggregate, it is stored inside and automatically released...

Options for vacuum/sewer jetters.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... The combination vacuum/sewer jetter design gives municipalities a lower cost, a portable system for sewer lines, and duct cleaning. The J12-30 sewer jetting system delivers 12 gallons per minute at 3000 psi and can be added to any vacuum system...

Manhole cutter.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... The SKF 950 XL manhole cutter is designed to replace hours of manual labor associated with jackhammer use, with a clean cut that takes three minutes. The hydraulically powered attachment fits on most skidsteers. To use, lay a circular template...

Membrane pre-filtration screen scanner.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... This screen scanner addresses the need for membrane pre-filtration for surface water and a sand separator alternative for well-water filtration. The technology is used with TAF, SAF, EBS, and Scanaway filters, giving a more flexible, efficient...

Long-lasting curb markers.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... Storm Drain Markers are 3-D embossed and made from a choice of stainless steel, brass, aluminum, or anodized aluminum. The markers say "Call before you dig" and they will help protect against damaging buried utilities by permanently...

Gearbox refurbishing program.(Featuring: Water and wastewater pumps)
October 1, 2005... Off-the-shelf, refurbished gear boxes can replace units that require frequent maintenance, experience excessive downtime, or are in need of replacement to improve efficiency. The product keeps overall process costs at a minimum by eliminating...

PW forum: answers to vexing questions.
October 1, 2005... Questions and answers in this section are from InfoNOW, a member-only service of the American Public Works Association. APWA's InfoNOW communities provide public works professionals an open forum for information exchange. There are 12 different...

Precision 2000 asphalt/concrete Cookie Cutting Machine.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Our Asphalt Cookie Cutting Machine eliminates Jackhammers and Compressors used to remove utility castings from road. It is a heavy duty machine that cuts a perfect circular hole around utility castings. This type of cut does not destroy the...

Manhole renewal.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Reinforce, seal and protect old manholes with PERMACAST[R] ultra high-strength mortars. Applied safely and quickly from our patented SpinCaster[TM] for precision placement without going in the hole! The water-proof liner is densely compacted at...

ThermaView IR dual mode pan & tilt camera--10.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... The first dual mode pan & tilt camera using thermal imaging technology. While inspecting the pipeline ThermaView IR fully functions as your day-to-day Aries Pan & Tilt camera with 360-degree continuous rotation. When searching for laterals; one...

Cemen tech adds safety platform.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... The leaders of volumetric mixing are once again building an option with your safety in mind. Cemen Tech mobile concrete mixers can now be ordered with an OSHA compliant safety platform. This platform allows for easy and safe access to the...

Contech Concrete Arch bridges.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Economical Designs and Solutions With BEBO[R] CONTECH's concrete bridge structures allow designers to choose from a variety of shapes and sizes, which allows for engineering solutions at the most economical price. The BEBO[R] Concrete Arch...

Permanent Curb marker.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... The das Curb marker[R] can be permanently applied to curbs (top or face), sidewalks, or almost any flat surface. Mark valves, manholes, meters, stormwater inlets (Phase II NPDES), confined space entry, etc. Easy to install. Easy to locate....

Crosswind Fury sweeper.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... The Elgin Crosswind Fury sweeper unites regenerative air technology with a compact body, setting a new standard for municipalities that want powerful cleaning without needing a full-size sweeper. The Fury offers the same efficient cleaning...

Natural Bacta-Pur[R] POND.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Fast-acting Bacta-Pur[R] POND is the simple and effective way to revitalize ponds and lakes of all sizes. The environmentally safe formula uses natural processes to improve water quality, without the use of harsh chemicals. Scientifically...

Gravelpave2 system.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... The Chicago Department of Environment and the city Department of Transportation rebuilt an asphalt alley using a permeable system. The new alley has eliminated formerly chronic flooding without using the sewer system and reduced the heat island...

Distance Measuring Instruments.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... JAMAR Technologies has 3 new models of their already popular RAC Series vehicle installed Distance Measuring Instruments. The RAC-PLUS I, PLUS II and PLUS III are smaller (2.3"H X 7.8"W X 1.19"D) while maintaining their proven high intensity...

CN 100 Sub-Compact Sweeper.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Madvac Inc is proud to introduce the New CN100 Sub-Compact Sweeper. The Madvac CN100 is big on visibility, safety, efficiency and performance. This high profile, cost-efficient cleaning machine safely and effectively sweeps and vacuums a...

Poly Meta Forms[R].(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Poly Meta Forms[R] is a labor and money saving alternative to forming concrete with wood. Lightweight. Easy to set, strip and transport. Moisture Resistant. No rotting, splintering or rusting. Durable & Reusable. Withstands harsh construction...

42" portable hydraflows help drain New Orleans.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Toughest, most reliable pumps on the market. Rotoflo--best rotary-lube, wellpoint pump available. Duraflo--tough hydraulic submersible trash pump. PrimeRite--auto dry priming workhorse. Hydraflo--110,000 GPM per pump--setup in hours. Contact us...

Moving water industries pumps.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... World Class Pumps in Use World Wide. Lineshafts--cast and fabricated. Submersible Electrics--axial and mixed flow. Hydraflos--axial and mixed flow. Solar PedalFlos--water for rural communities. Contact us at 954-426-1500 or visit us at the...

Prime Rotary Fan Press Dual Mobile Unit.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... The Prime Rotary Fan Press Dual 36" Mobile Unit; a complete system ready to serve multi-facilities in multiple locations. The compact unit can easily be pulled with a pick-up truck. Efficient dewatering with small capitol investment, low...

Inside drops.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... INSIDE DROPS for Sanitary Sewers eliminate outside drops, clean up failed inside drops and are excellent as stormwater drops and in wet wells. Compact, low-profile bowls and stainless brackets are simple and cost effective, reduce maintenance...

BioD-SiltCheck[TM].(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Biodegradable coir check dam RoLanka's BioD-SiltCheck is made of 100% coir fiber. This is a sediment control device consists a coir fiber body, which filters and reduces the speed of flowing water and upstream and downstream filter aprons which...

Multipurpose Hand-Held Vise.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Multipurpose Hand-Held Vise Save time and money with the new The Multi-Vise Tool[TM] II. It can power in like most vises but can also power out. Install culvert bands, water pipe repair clamps and bell pipe. Heavy duty J-Hooks or L-Hooks can be...

Leaf Loader.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... The Trackless Leaf Loader is the most advanced and efficient leaf loading machine on the market today. Advantages include: faster pick up, mulching capabilities, fewer loads to landfill, heavier truck loads, less traffic congestion, and reduced...

ADA compliant and reliant STEP-SAFE[R] detectable warning tile from Transpo.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Precast polymer concrete tactile dome safety tiles alert pedestrians to approaching hazards. Skid-resistant and easy to install. Six standard colors and custom colors available. Proven record of resistance to weather and wear make them ideal...

69 HD series high-head non-clog pump.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2005... Announcing Zoeller Engineered Products new high-head, large submersible pumps, the 69HD series. Capable of continuous run without a water jacket, these 4" or 6" discharge pumps can exceed heads of 245'TDH and flows over 2700 GPM. Motors are...

Small town, big leadership.(Profile)
October 1, 2005... Chad Garland hails from a town that few people can pronounce--and even fewer can find on a map. Zelienople (pronounced "zill-ee-in-opal"), a borough of just more than 4000 people, is in western Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh....