UA / ISSUE 102

Welcome to this week’s edition of Utility Alert, packed with the latest developments and insights in the world of underground infrastructure and damage prevention! Wellington launches platform to map underground infrastructure: READ Buffeting – Why damage prevention leaders should publish their own reports: READ Duquesne Light Company Crowdsources Underground Monitoring: READ Learn about FuzionView: WATCH Maui faces uncertainty over the …

VHS | FUZIONVIEW

Enhancing Underground Utility Mapping: The Journey of FuzionView In 2017, Gopher State One Call (GSOC) reached out to the Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC) of the Minnesota Geospatial Advisory Council to explore ways to enhance the use of geospatial technology in the underground utility sector. This initiative sparked a series of discussions that led to the formation of the Underground Utilities …

BUFFETING

I was reading through some Berkshire Hathaway Letter to Shareholders the other day (don’t ask) and I thought, wouldn’t it be great if I did this for my stakeholders?! Better yet, wouldn’t it be great if everyone did it?! Now I know, we’ve got the CGA’s DIRT Report which is eminently valuable but the BH Letter to Shareholders is more …

UA / ISSUE 101

Hope you guys are fully rested and recovered after the holiday weekend! Here’s the latest damage prevention news to help bring you back up to speed: Underground water and sewer pipes are aging out: READ Are penalties enough for locate offenders? READ The Future of Underground Utility Mapping: READ 4 things the US is doing right! READ Predictive AI Is …

VHS | GAS EXPLOSION

This happened just a few miles from Daryl’s house in Ireland! Pretty scary. The incident occurred during some roadworks when a gas main was struck. Here’s an extra shot for context: RECENT POSTSOct. 03, 2024THE FUTURE OF UTILITIESSep. 30, 2024UA / ISSUE 113Sep. 27, 2024VHS | GROUND PENETRATING RADARSep. 26, 2024UNEXPECTED RISKS TO UTILITIESSep. 23, 2024UA / ISSUE 112

4 THINGS THE US IS DOING RIGHT

When we talk about infrastructure, the conversation often revolves around what needs fixing. But in the spirit of Independence Day, let’s flip the script and focus on the positives – specifically, what the U.S. is doing right when it comes to protecting our vital underground utilities. From advanced technology to regulatory measures, here are four standout strategies keeping our subterranean …

ARE PENALTIES ENOUGH?

Last Friday, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced a settlement with MidAmerican, Mediacom, and CenturyLink over violations of Iowa’s One Call law. The One Call law, crucial for the safety of both workers and underground utilities, mandates that anyone engaging in digging, excavating, or trenching activities must first contact the Iowa One Call center to locate and avoid damaging underground …

UA / ISSUE 100

Welcome to our 100th issue of Utility Alert and happy Canada Day to all our Canadian followers Here’s the latest damage prevention news: Iowa Utilities Board approves Summit carbon capture pipeline project: READ Crazy stories from utility locators: READ ‘Cable fault’ caused downtown power outage, HECO says: READ Precision Excavation: WATCH Rural Fiber Gets Its Big-Screen Moment With New NCTA …

VHS | PRECISION EXCAVATION

In this detailed video, viewers are guided through the meticulous process of using a vacuum excavation and pressure washing to expose a buried water line and fiber duct. The host starts by introducing the project and explaining the need for this technique due to an upcoming break. Despite the interruptions, the video thoroughly covers the steps taken so far, including …

CRAZY STORIES FROM UTILITY LOCATORS

Working in the field of locating utilities can be a thankless job, fraught with challenges, and sometimes, sheer absurdities. I was reading through 2 different Reddit threads (1, 2) where locators provided a glimpse into the everyday struggles and occasional joys of the profession and so figured I share a few here. These stories, full of exasperation and humor, also …