The All-Star Panel on The Roundtable, produced by Planet Underground, had an insightful discussion among industry leaders on the evolving landscape of damage prevention, focusing on future technology and methods. Chaired by Jemmie Wang, the panel delves into pressing questions about leveraging new technologies to enhance the management of crowded underground utility rights-of-way. The discussion considers whether we are on …
UA / ISSUE 117
We’re in Las Vegas this week for the CGA Fall Committee Meetings, a great chance to dive into the 2023 DIRT Report and connect with other industry stakeholders. Here’s some recent news from the past week in our industry: Underground worker pulled to safety after slipping 30ft below surface: READ The SUE Charade: READ Water & Sewer district …
UNSAFE TRENCHES KILL
Trench collapses are devastatingly lethal. They can claim the lives of employees, coworkers, and friends in an instant, turning preventable accidents into tragedies. Every collapse is a stark reminder of how crucial it is to keep trench safety a priority, not just in policy but in practice. To protect teams, all trenches must be safeguarded with proper protective systems, like …
UA / ISSUE 116
The 2023 DIRT Report is out now and you can read at via the first link in this alert, but there’s lots more happening in the industry so make sure you stay up to date… The 2023 DIRT Report is out now: READ Subsurface Spaghetti: READ CenterPoint Energy Announces Collaboration to Improve Grid Resilience: READ Dallas homeowner denied claim …
VHS | TEXAS HOMEOWNER CLAIM DENIED AFTER WATER MAIN BREAKS 3 TIMES
This video recounts the story of a Dallas homeowner, Robert Brown, who faced over $350,000 in damage after a city-owned water main burst multiple times behind his home. The water main broke in February 2023, February 2024, and August 2024, causing severe flooding in his Preston Hollow neighborhood. Despite filing claims with both the city and his insurance company, both …
UA / ISSUE 115
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving / Columbus Day! Here’s the top 10 damage prevention stories from the last 7 days: Copperhead Industries Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation and Excellence: READ 10 years to remove all lead pipes: READ Local utility crews trek to Florida for Milton power restoration efforts: READ Tampa Electric CEO talks emergency plans: READ Burying power lines is …
VHS | TAMPA ELECTRIC CEO TALKS MILTON MOBILIZATION
This video provides a valuable insight into how electric utilities, like Tampa Electric, prepare year-round for hurricanes. CEO Archie Collins explains how the company is ready to tackle challenges like storm surge, high winds, and supply chain issues with transformers. Having faced hurricanes Debby and Helene earlier, their preparedness, including a robust transformer inventory, ensures they can swiftly restore power …
UA / ISSUE 114
“In the aftermath of every storm, we discover not only the strength of our structures, but also the resilience of our spirit.” Senate extends “PA One Call Law,” supports underground utilities workers: READ When will the power return? Weary Carolinas residents long for relief after Helene’s fury: READ Baltimore City underground fires: What’s happening under North Charles Street?: READ The …
UA / ISSUE 113
As Hurricane Helene dominates the headlines with its devastating impact, we are reminded of the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure during the aftermath of such disasters. With utilities at greater risk following the storm, damage prevention efforts become even more crucial. Here’s this weeks top 10 stories: Buried power lines spare neighborhoods from being affected by storms: READ Unexpected …
VHS | GROUND PENETRATING RADAR
Morehead City’s Public Services recently acquired a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) unit, to assist with locating underground utilities. The GPR was successfully used at Big Rock Stadium to locate irrigation boxes buried under several inches of soil. The device operates by displaying underground objects as parabola shapes on a screen, allowing for easier identification. It can scan up to 30 …