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Note From The Editor
Greetings Discerning Readers,
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As a young boy, Jack London’s Call of the Wild left its mark
on my very soul. The tale of a city-slicker dog transplanted
to the wilds of Alaska changed the way I viewed the world.
So when Tim Rosenfield of Hughes Supply told me he
was heading up to Alaska to “fuse up a bunch of HDPE
for the city of Ketchikan,” a team of wild huskies
couldn’t hold me back.
“How’d you like the boat ride?,” Rosenfield says
as I step off the short ferry from the island
that serves as airport for the city of Ketchikan.
I suddenly realize I’m not in the wilds of
Alaska
at all. We’re surrounded by
thousands of
senior citizens and
middle-aged cruise
ship vacationers.
There is nothing
wild here. Nobody
is even wearing
a lumberjack shirt.
They’re dressed
in colorful vacation
attire covered with
cheap
see-
through, rain ponchos.
Ketchikan
is the 9th busiest port
in
the world
for tourism and
a cruise
ship has just
dumped
a gaggle of
folks out
on top of us.
They’re
all snapping
pictures
of each
other in front
of
their floating
hotels
hanging
as a
backdrop.
Rosenfield leads me through the mob of people as he describes the polyethylene
project he is involved with for the city. “These people are who the new HDPE water system is for,” he explains. His jovial manner and safety-orange vest make him a target for the tourists who stop us frequently to ask him directions to the shopping district and fishing charters. He doesn’t seem to mind being mistaken as a tour guide and even gives them additional advice on the best eating establishments in town. |
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Ketchikan has major problems with its water piping system. Electrolytic corrosion along with saltwater soil conditions play havoc with its ductile iron and cast iron pipelines. Leaks are a big problem for maintenance,  but with 160 inches of rainfall yearly, water conservation is not a big concern because you’re much more likely to drown, than die of thirst. The city has made due for quite some time but the need to upsize its water lines to serve the tourist trade and fish processing plants developed into the perfect opportunity for the city to rip out its entire water and wastewater piping system and replace it with HDPE.
“There are those who claim that HDPE will last forever,” said City Engineer John Klannager. “We’re just confident the new system will be around for a very long time, and once completed, we’ll be able to concentrate on other projects like expanding our system for our growing population instead of fixing leaks.”
Rosenfield has fused hundreds of miles of HDPE pipeline mostly for environmental projects and is excited about the recent developments for Hughes Supply. Hughes is now part of the huge conglomerate Home Depot who also recently purchased National Water Works. He thinks the company’s strategies will help HDPE gain market share in the water industry. “Hughes has always been serious about selling HDPE in the water industry,” said Rosenfield. “Now our involvement with Home Depot and National Water Works will just help us spread the benefits of HDPE even more.”
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Rosenfield takes me to the city water
supply
lake several miles from town. Finally,
the
Alaska I’ve dreamed of. The backcountry
hike and views of wilderness
promote
the
same transformation within me that
London
describes in his lead
character
Buck. |
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The air
is thick with the call of the wild
and a stream
stacked with salmon is more than I can resist. Then I see Yogi. He owns this piece of the river and seems angry with the length of pipe discarded by some careless human. He makes me feel small, insignificant and not at all wild. In fact, at this moment, I’m just a city slicker dog who would rather be lounging on a cruise ship. I depart and offer a nice salmon for the intrusion. |
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Drew L. Wilson;
Editor
(918) 831-9286
| McElroy In The News |
Above ground or in the ditch, the all new TracStar 630 is designed to make large diameter, butt-fusion a snap. It is the first fusion machine of this size specifically designed for in-ditch close quarter work while at the same time giving you all the advantages of a TracStar machine. The carriage has 4-jaws with a removable 3-jaw carriage and top loading heater and facer to maximize functionality within limited space. It is mounted on independently controlled, self propelled tracks and features a wireless remote driving control. The TracStar 630 will butt fuse 8” – 24” pipe and fittings and is hydraulically powered to assist all fusion functions including the operation of the jaws, pipe lifts, heater and facer. Click here to read more |
| Gas Industry News |
Both houses of the Alaska Legislature on Friday approved a bill establishing a path for a multibillion dollar natural gas project designed to tap a huge heating fuel supply and transport it to the rest of the country. Click here to read more |
| Water Industry News |
Fixing cities' water woes a priority for Labor
Australia – A LABOR government would pay to fix the leaky pipes which cause capital cities to lose thousands of liters of water each year.
Kevin Rudd quoted figures from the National Water Commission saying the 175,000 kilometers of mains linking houses to water suppliers lost up to 30 percent each year through leakage and burst water mains. Click here to read more |
| Oil of the 21 st Century |
Inland Southern California urged to cut water use for pipe repair
ONTARIO, Calif. -- A million inland Southern California residents are being urged to conserve water while a major supply pipeline undergoes repairs this month.
Click here to read the entire story! |
S.C. worries over water because N.C. cities can drain river
LAKE WYLIE, S.C. -- Images of the last severe drought to hit the northern part of the state remain vivid in the minds of South Carolina residents along the Catawba...
Click here to read the entire story! |
Study to look at northern Va.'s future water supply
WASHINGTON -- A regional commission is beginning a long-term study of northern Virginia's water supply, analyzing everything from future demand to contingency...
Click here to read the entire story! |
Colo. House approves plan to allow water district to charge fees
DENVER -- The full House has given its approval to a plan that would allow a Rio Grande Water Conservation subdistrict to charge fees that opponents say would...
Click here to read the entire story! |
Forest Service, Montana agree on water compact
MISSOULA, Mont. -- After 15 years of negotiations, state and federal officials have signed an agreement to address federal reserved water rights on national forest...
Click here to read the entire story! |
Oklahoma's groundwater resources might be disappearing
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Water levels in Oklahoma's groundwater aquifers have dropped for decades and the situation has been made worse by recent drought, water...
Click here to read the entire story! |
| Free Jobsite Photos |
The McElroy Image Library has recently been expanded to include a large collection of photographs including McElroy fusion equipment in action and general construction photos of polyethylene construction sites from around the country. If you are in need of photo art for your website or printed materials, be sure to browse these photographs. Click here! |
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Must See Link |
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Water Online (www.wateronline.com) is the leading online resource for engineers and end-users in the water, wastewater, and storm water markets, serving the needs of engineering professionals since 1995. In 2006, more than 700,000 unique users visited Water Online for the latest information on the resource management, supply, treatment, and distribution of drinking water, and on the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater, as well as the many ancillary functions that accompany them (for example, storm water management and sludge conditioning and disposal). Water Online is part of the VertMarkets (www.vertmarkets.com) family of industry-specific Web communities. |
| Free McElroy Training |
Now, when you register McElroy equipment, on behalf of your customers, you are giving them a gift of up to $600.
To help introduce the new 2007 curriculum of McElroy University Classes and Certification Options, McElroy is offering free or half-price classes (a discount of $600 or $300) for your customers that purchase a McElroy Fusion Machine.
Your customers that purchase a hydraulic machine from a 28 series or larger, will receive a class of their choosing for free (i.e. a $600 discount). Your customers that purchase a manual machine size No.14 and below will receive 50% off a class of their choosing (i.e. a discount of $300).
Please note: the discount only applies to class tuition. Those opting for any certification will still be responsible for the $150 testing fee.
Eligibility
To receive the discount:
- The machine must be purchased after 1/1/2007
- The distributor must register the machine with McElroy via the product registration section on the McElroy Distributor Website
- Upon proper registration, a letter will be sent to the contact person listed on the registration with a discount code specific to each machine registered (codes can only be used for one time)
- During registration, your customer will need to enter the discount code, model number, and serial number of the machine for verification
- Customers will initially be charged for the full price of the class but upon verfication, their account will be credited with the appropriate discount
- All other rules and guidelines for McElroy University (such as cancellation policy) will still apply
- This promotion is offered on a limited time basis and can be cancelled at any time
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact your McElroy Regional Sales Manager (RSM) or Customer Service Representative (CSR) |
| 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/ |
If you would like a link to your newsletter posted in McElroy Connections, contact Drew L. Wilson at 918-831-9286 or
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:
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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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