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| July Issue Post Date 7/20/04 | www.mcelroy.com | |
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Note From The Editor My 96-year-old Grandfather knocked on many doors for numerous years before he found 35 country folk who could beg, borrow or steal a hundred dollars and who also thought it would be a good idea to start up a rural water district. Long ago, the people living outside of the tiny town of Barnsdall , Oklahoma were getting their water from cisterns and hand-dug wells. Even though their water was being contaminated from oilfield activity, they proclaimed - "I'll be dammed if I'm going to pay money for what God provides!" Gramps did prevail and still holds a seat on the water board of the first rural water district in Osage County , Oklahoma . Yet equally remarkable with a touch of irony, is the fact that he is the one who is trying to convince the water district to explore advanced water piping technology for the future of their water district. You guessed it; he is trying to sell them on using HDPE to tackle the same problems the rest of the country is facing with their water infrastructure. And like many areas of the country, his HDPE message is falling on deaf ears. Water does fall from the sky, but it is falling in short supply and carrying a hefty price tag. Farmers in California are getting more money to sell their irrigation water to cities than they can make from growing crops. Lawyers are jumping on water battles and no matter how the case plays out; most of the combatants are left thirsty. Yet our piping infrastructure, which has been described as a black hole that has sucked up all the money available, is not even on trial. It appears to be easier and more profitable to negotiate the doling out of what little water remains than dealing with the root of the problem. Our pipes are responsible for wasting 15% to 25% of the precious wet stuff through an infertile, long practiced band-aid repair approach. The leaking pipes are also the culprits that are contaminating our raw water supplies with sewage. It looks like the heavy price tag to fix our pipes is going to be paid by the populace so it makes sense to use basic economics and buy the infrastructure that gives the best, (get ready, hear comes a buzz word) - ROI. It can be frustrating in helping others recognize what many in the HDPE industry understand as a "no brainer" solution to a big part of our water problems as well as preventing contamination of our water supply. We have to keep in mind that what we are asking water managers to do, (change piping material), is by far the largest decision that they can possibly make in their career. This decision carries perceived risks and a lot of extra work, so we must remain patient and continue to fill the roll of educationalists and answer questions as they arise. We have to guard against our frustration and resist barking - as my grumpy, older than dirt grandfather did at the last water board meeting - "Why can't you young pup, *&^%$# -- @$%&#*'s see past the end of your nose down the road into the future?!!!," which immediately got him kicked out of the meeting. Until the chairman realized they were sitting in Gramps living room where the meetings had been held for many, many years and where it all began. Keep up the fight, Gramps is. Productivity Tip State Of The Infrastructure McElroy In The News
Newsletter Links If you would like a link to your newsletter posted in McElroy Connections, contact Drew L. Wilson at 918-831-9286 or Links North American Society for Trenchless Technology American Water Works Association American Society of Civil Engineers Foundation Events Proper Fusion Techniques, Sidewall Fusion, Preventative Maintenance The class is approximately 30% classroom and 70% hand-on application. This class is aimed at Construction crew members, operators and field contractors. Students will receive a school certificate showing they have completed factory training. To register online visit: http://www.mcelroy.com/fusion/solution/class2001.htm McElroy Connections welcomes your feedback, story ideas, tips, or anything else related to PE Pipe and Pipe fusion. Please email your comments and story ideas to: FOR NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS: To subscribe, visit http://www.mcelroy.com/subscribe McElroy Connections is published by McElroy Manufacturing Inc. The information contained within each issue is meant as a service to our customers, distributors, and those involved with Polyethylene Pipe applications.
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McElroy TracStars see action on earthquake rehabilitation pipeline project in the state of Washington . 
Restoring water supplies has been one of the most crucial tasks facing the occupying forces following the Iraq war. Scottish Warrant Officer Douglas Smith volunteered to spearhead the campaign to restore water to the city of Basra and to areas of Southern Iraq after seeing numerous attempts fail. He used his passion as a humanitarian and HDPE to get the job done. 
When three utility lines needed relocating in the busy Port of L.A. , a plan was needed that would least impact the daily operations of one of the world's busiest ports. Once again HDD and HDPE were chosen for this most challenging of projects. 
