Sewer Systems News

The Inland Waterways View.At the start of any new year, we are often asked what our challenges will be or what we are going to do differently in the year ahead. However, in 2019, just like each year since Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) was founded in 2003, we intend to stay the course to advocate for full and efficient funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue its Civil Works mission to construct and maintain navigation projects on the inland waterways.The Corps’…

When it comes to docking and protecting your most valuable assets, there is no room for compromise.In relation to the sea, there is no room for compromise. That’s the philosophy that SF Marina Systems has brought to the design and manufacturing of concrete floating structures, stretching over 100 years of design history, research and development. These “Storm Proven” systems have evolved over time, producing longevity, low maintenance, and a single-cast design with proven connections endure decades of service. That’s especially important for municipalities and passenger vessel operators looking to enhance, expand or even to start a new…

Just before the anticipation of good things to come on Valentine’s Day, on February 12, the inland waterways transportation industry was left feeling disappointed and puzzled after the release of the long-awaited Trump Administration infrastructure principles, and then the release of President Trump’s FY 2019 budget request. During the Presidential campaign, then-candidate Trump said he would undertake a $1 trillion infrastructure initiative that would focus on a wide array of projects, from sewer systems to bridges to Veterans Hospitals to rural broadband expansion.

Oil spills, trash, debris, sediment, chemicals: how do we keep our waterways clean? If an oil spill happens on water, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA90) has very clear rules on who is responsible for paying for cleanup costs. Most oil spills can be traced to the spiller – a pipeline owner, oil tanker, shipper, railroad or trucking company. “Pointing a finger” at the alleged party may be why this type of pollution is referred to as “point source.” If the oil spill is ruled an accident and the polluter is not legally responsible…

Elastec, a U.S. based manufacturer of pollution control equipment, is producing trash and debris collection boats to assist local governments in meeting Clean Water Act standards, aid in the reduction of floating pollutants in waterways and help protect aquatic ecosystems. The trash and debris collection vessel, designed to skim floating litter from harbors and waterways, can also be used for various marine maintenance duties from its 8- by 11-foot work platform. Designed to be maneuverable in hard to reach areas…

U.S. Congressman Nick Rahall to receive 11th Annual Waterways Council Leadership Service Award. U.S. Congressman Nick J. Rahall, II (WV-03) will receive the Eleventh Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, DC. A reception will be held at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the Leadership Award presentation. U.S. Representative Rahall, a West Virginia native who represents his state’s Third Congressional District…

Onsite accommodation specialist, HB Rentals, a Superior Energy Services company, has opened an additional facility in Texas and has been awarded a one-year contract to provide onsite living quarters with offices for four rigs operating in the Eagle Ford shale play in South Texas. The additional facility is located in Laredo, Texas. This yard was strategically added in order to support customers’ needs to provide the highest level of support and equipment in the Eagle Ford shale region. The facility will have accommodations, communications equipment and auxiliary equipment on site as well as the certified technicians and staff to deliver, install and maintain the equipment provide ongoing service.

Godwin Pumps, worldwide manufacturer and supplier of the Dri-Prime automatic self-priming pump, shared the news of the passing of Joseph L. Abbott, Jr. – the company’s National Sales Manager. Joining the Godwin Pumps team in 1989, Abbott brought sales and manufacturing expertise to the company from the sewer rehabilitation industry. In the ensuing 20 years, Abbott was the primary sales contact with consulting engineers, working on hundreds of large and small bypass operations – from 100…

In 1970, the U.S. Congress designated the Great Lakes region as the U.S.' fourth seacoast; which, while geographically inaccurate, is completely on target in terms of the importance of trade within that area. One of the most important waterways, the region is home to the U.S.-Flag Lakes fleet, perhaps the most vibrant segment of the U.S. Merchant Marine. In terms of sheer numbers, the fleet is not large; with only approximately 70 large self-propelled vessels and tug/barge units in the dry- and liquid-bulk trades and another 20 smaller tug/barge units engaged in primarily moving liquid-bulk products. However, in a typical shipping season, the U.S.-Flag Lakes fleet will haul upward of 115 million tons, or almost half a ton for every person living in the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii.

More than 10 major water-treatment plant makers, including Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., were searched Tuesday by the Fair Trade Commission on suspicion of repeatedly rigging bids for contracts from local governments, as reported by the Japan Times. Also raided were Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd., JFE Engineering Corp., Kubota Corp., Ebara Corp., Hitachi Zosen Corp., Takuma Co. and Ataka Construction and Engineering Co. Most of the companies confirmed they were being searched by the antimonopoly watchdog but declined comment on the reason. The firms are suspected of conspiring to select bid winners and fix bid prices for contracts for building water-treatment plants…