| Note From The Editor
Greetings Discerning Readers,
 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) understands the crisis surrounding wastewater. I am sure of this after scanning the glut of news wire articles depicting the EPA cracking down on sewage polluters.
In 2002, more than 12,000 beaches were closed to swimming at oceans, bays, Great Lakes and freshwater beaches. An overwhelming 87 percent of the closings stemmed from monitoring that revealed fecal contamination. The proverbial Baby Ruth in the swimming pool isn’t sitting well with the EPA and now that you could give that description to many of our waterways, the EPA is making it clear that they have no sense of humor when it comes to pollution; and rightly so.
The EPA estimates that sanitary sewer overflows (SSO's), are responsible for 1.26 trillion gallons of untreated sewage annually flowing into our waters. Estimates from the Citizens Environmental Research Council are much higher, with at least 140,000 SSO's each year. The overflows are caused by rainfall seeping into leaky sanitary sewers as well as infiltrating deteriorated piping infrastructure. When flows exceed the capacity of the system, sewers overflow and discharge untreated sewage into local waterways.
The EPA recently reported to Congress that $181.2 billion is needed immediately for the nation's centralized sewage collection and treatment infrastructure. EPA says that, without considerable investment, the outlook for sewage pollution is daunting. Unless there is a substantial increasing investment and treatment efficiency, EPA has stated that by 2025 U.S. waters will again suffer from sewage-related pollutant loadings that are as high as they were in 1968—the highest in our nation’s history.
City officials are pointing the finger at their leaky infrastructure and asking, ‘where will we get the funding.’ Indeed the estimated yearly funding shortfall of $9 to $12 billion will have to come from somewhere and several cities have already determined that the cash will come from the end user in the form of rate hikes. If so, perhaps exorbitant water and sewer bills will spark a public outrage aimed at municipal decision makers who may then lose their apprehension to work this new fangled, longer lasting, lower maintenance, leak-free HDPE.
Drew L. Wilson; Editor
(918) 831-9286
P.S.
I will be happy to write a story about your project that is utilizing HDPE and McElroy fusion equipment. I will travel almost anywhere to get the interviews and photos I need to get your company free publicity in one of the many construction magazines or trade journals. Just call or drop me an email to discuss the projects going on in your neck of the woods.
Productivity Tip
This month’s productivity tip comes from Mike Montgomery, Director of Fusion and Field Services for ISCO Industries.
When working with McElroy “self-contained” fusion units excluding the T-500 and T-900, make sure to open the facer valve prior to starting the unit and keep it open until started. Close valve once unit is running. This will save the battery and keep you from burning up the starter.
Plug heater in on self-contained fusion units only after unit has been started and warmed up. Unplug heater before turning fusion unit off. This will keep you from having heater element and circuitry problems with your heater.
When making fusions that involve pipe to fittings, special care should be taken. The necking down or toe in at the pipe ends, which is normal, needs to be completely removed in the facing process. This is seen primarily in working with the larger pipe diameters.
State Of The Infrastructure
Approximately 100 water utility professionals poured onto Capitol Hill on Earth Day to elevate critical drinking water issues onto the agendas of Congressional lawmakers. The water professionals were participating in the second day of the Water Matters! Fly-In, organized by the American Water Works Association. Some 300 meetings with U.S. Representatives, Senators and staff focused on the urgency of investing in water security and infrastructure, the need to protect water sources from contamination and other issues. Read Article
McElroy In The News
 Gas line inspection leads to SubTerra SubLine rehabilitation with polyethylene pipe and McElroy fusion equipment. Read Article
Case Studies
Eureka Springs Public Works Director Robert Forest announced a plan that would save his city millions. Click here to see how the plan includes HDPE and trenchless technology.
Events
The AWWA Annual Conference & Exposition
will be held in Orlando , Florida , June 13-17, 2004 . To hear from experts on cutting-edge issues and interact with the world's water industry professionals contact the AWWA at 1-800-926-7337 to register. Also be sure to stop by McElroy booth # 431 to 433
PPI M&I Division to Hold HDPE Seminar this Spring. An upcoming seminar for the PPI M&I Division will be held in Charlotte , NC on May 11, 2004 . Registration information is available at the PPI website Click here
For more information, contact Camille Rubeiz at 202-462-9607 ext. 12, or crubeiz@plasticpipe.org or Michael Ball at mball@plasticpipe.org . For Sale
Several readers have responded to our query about selling or buying used equipment. If you would like to be listed in our newsletter send appropriate information along with contact information to . If listing used equipment, serial number, approximate hours on machine and general description of each machine must be included.
Looking For
Used No. 1236 or TracStar 900 in good condition.
Contact: Jim (517) 622-0444
Very interested in purchasing good used Butt fusion Machines.
Contact:
Bill Forward, Wolseley Engineered Pipe Group.
Ph (204) 975-0738,
Fax (204) 975-0757
bill.forward@epgwolseleyinc.ca
Looking for a 1-4 inch McElroy fusion machine in good condition with accessories.
aletendre@scsfieldservices.com
I am currently looking for a 2 inch to 4-inch McElroy fusion machine.
Contact:
James james@pld.com
Contact: Drew L. Wilson at 918-831-9286 or
Links
Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. (PPI)
Founded in 1950, The Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. (PPI) is the major trade association representing all segments of the plastics piping industry. PPI members share a common interest in broadening market opportunities that make effective use of plastics piping for water and gas distribution, sewer and wastewater, oil and gas production, industrial and mining uses, power and communications, duct and irrigation.
http://www.plasticpipe.org/index01.php
North American Society for Trenchless Technology
The North American Society for Trenchless Technology is a multiple disciplinary society of individuals and organizations with professional, utilitarian or environmental interests in Trenchless Technology. It was founded and incorporated as a non-profit organization in June 1990.
http://www.nastt.org/
American Water Works Association
Established in 1881, AWWA is the oldest and largest nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to safe drinking water in North America . AWWA has more than 57,000 members worldwide and its 4,700 utility members serve 80 percent of America 's population.
http://www.awwa.org
American Society of Civil Engineers Foundation
Assists ASCE with resource development and the enhancement of its programs through the philanthropy of its membership and the wider public.
http://www.asce.org/foundation/
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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