What’s the Mandela Effect? Did anyone else feel like they learned that Nelson Mandela died in the 1980s? Yet Wikipedia insists he actually passed away in 2013. If you’ve had moments like this, you’ve encountered the Mandela Effect – that eerie phenomenon where a bunch of people collectively remembers something…wrong. Think “Berenstain Bears” vs. “Berenstein Bears.” It’s funny, even nostalgic, …

In the world of underground utility detection, a troubling trend is emerging. The line between private utility locating and Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) is being blurred, potentially compromising public safety and professional integrity. The Core Issue An increasing number of firms in the U.S. are providing utility locating, mapping, and modeling services without proper engineering or surveying licenses. While they’re …

Working in dense urban environments presents significant challenges for utility locating and safe excavation. Cities like New York, Boston, and others on the East Coast of the U.S. are prime examples of how older, densely populated areas have evolved into complex webs of underground infrastructure. These cities often have multiple layers of utilities—some still in use and others long abandoned—running …

The EPA has set a bold goal: to remove most of the nation’s lead service lines within the next decade. This initiative is not just about addressing a major public health issue – it’s also a remarkable opportunity for the damage prevention and utility sectors to evolve. As millions of homes still rely on outdated lead pipes, the removal effort …

As energy utilities evolve, the landscape is becoming more varied and complex, incorporating technologies that were once experimental but are now essential. From microgrids and fiber installations to renewable energy and underground power systems, the utility infrastructure of tomorrow will look vastly different from today’s centralized, overhead networks. This shift brings an urgent need to map and integrate these new …

Utilities face a broad spectrum of risks that extend far beyond the traditional challenges of aging infrastructure, natural disasters, and human error. As the world grows more interconnected and data-driven, it’s becoming increasingly clear that unconventional and often unexpected threats must be addressed to ensure the continuity of critical services like power, water, and gas. Unlikely Culprits: Birds as Fire …

Aging infrastructure is no longer just a looming problem – it’s a crisis we face daily, especially with the utility systems beneath our feet. From corroding pipelines to crumbling water mains, the challenges of keeping these systems functional and safe are immense. But even as the U.S. infrastructure bill brings in much-needed cash for improvements, we’re missing a critical piece …

Utility surveys are a refreshingly proactive measure in a field that often relies too heavily on reactive solutions. They’re usually done in the planning stages of a project and as such help to prevent construction delays, surprise infrastructure conflicts, and over spending. By addressing risks before they materialize, these surveys create the foundation for safer, more efficient, and cost-effective construction …

When you think about damage prevention, you might picture some folks with hard hats and spray paint, marking up the ground before a construction project kicks off. But if that’s where your mind stops, you’re missing the bigger picture. Damage prevention also has a mix of macro and microeconomic forces acting on it and which drive how we protect our …

Data, in many ways, is like a powerful river flowing through our modern world. Just as our ancestors once captured the energy of flowing water with simple water wheels, we’ve advanced over time to harness that same energy with hydroelectric dams, fueling entire cities. Yet, for many, the vast stream of data that surrounds us still flows largely untapped, slipping …