Industry News
EPA releases 7th Drinking Water Investment Survey
The EPA recently released the 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA), providing an outlook on the nation’s water infrastructure over the next 20 years. A few key takeaways: Drinking water systems will need $625 billion for upgrades EPA projects a national total of 9.2 million lead services
50% of Homeowners planning to dig without requesting a locate in 2022
This was originally sent out as our April 2022 Newsletter April 1st marks the beginning of National Safe Digging Month (NDSM)! And to kick-off the excavation season, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) released results from a recent national survey … with some alarming feedback: nearly six-in-ten U.S. homeowners (58%) reported
Proactive Damage Prevention
On our latest podcast, Damage Prevention Consultant Nick Temple sits down and talks about proactive damage prevention methods and proven best practices to protect underground utilities.
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and the Future of Broadband
Chris Thome discusses the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and what it means for the future of high-speed internet access. The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, or RDOF, is a $20.4 billion FCC fund to help bridge the digital divide to deploy broadband networks across rural America. Chris Thome, V.P. of Business
Using Emerging Technologies on the ROW
New Department of Transportation regulations are paving the way for use of emerging technology to improve safety of America’s ROWs. In January, the DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced new rules regarding the fastest-growing segment of the transportation sector: drones. The new rules will require Remote identification for drones as
Rhino January 2021 Roundtable | Keeping Jobsites Safe in 2021
We had over 30 people from across the country join us for a Friday afternoon discussion about worksite safety in 2021. ››››››››››››››››››››››››
Rhino Markers Live! November 2020 Roundtable
The CGA recently released a White Paper that shines some light on problems facing the industries we serve. After surveying more than 400 locate technicians, performing in-depth interviews with industry managers and decision-makers, and analyzing the recently released 2019 DIRT report, there are some clear conclusions that can be drawn:
Problems with Utility Locating and How to Address Issues
This was originally sent out as our December 2020 Newsletter I. CGA in Depth Report The CGA recently released a White Paper that shines some light on problems facing the industries we serve. After surveying more than 400 locate technicians, performing in-depth interviews with industry managers and decision-makers, and analyzing
Tangible Approaches to Improving Pipeline Safety
This was originally sent out as our June 2020 Gas & Oil Industry Newsletter I. Pipeline Safety Report and Plan The American petroleum institute (API) recently released its Pipeline Safety Performance Report and Strategic Plan for 2020-2022. The industry continues to make great strides at improving pipeline safety and finding
Pipeline Safety Cannot Be Overlooked
This was originally sent out as our April 2020 Gas & Oil Industry Newsletter I. The New Normal & PHMSA GuidanceThe two phrases I have grown most weary of in 2020 are “unprecedented times” and “new normal”. While the world is most certainly upside down, and all our lives have
Cities want more underground utilities after increased outages
This was originally sent out as our October 2019 Electric Industry Newsletter I. With outages increasing, city advocates for more underground utilities. Experiencing nine major outages that have effected more than 17,000 people since July, city officials of Shenandoah and the The Woodlands in Texas are looking for answers. Constant
City receives $8.5 million FEMA grant to underground utilities
This was originally sent out as our October 2019 Telecommunications Industry Newsletter I. City receives $8.5 million FEMA grant to underground utilities The city of Palm Beach, Florida has been awarded $8.5 million to remove utility polls and bury overhead power lines. The grant was part of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs
New Pipeline Rules for Natural Disasters
This was originally sent out as our October 2019 Gas & Oil Industry Newsletter I. New Pipeline Rules for Natural Disasters Just this month PHMSA finalized a rule that significantly revises aspects of pipeline safety regulations Part 192 and 195 for natural gas and hazardous liquids pipelines. Major changes include
Unmarked Water Line Severely Damaged
This was originally sent out as our August 2019 Water Newsletter I. Unmarked Water Line Severely Damaged Earlier this summer, a contractor in Fort Lauderdale ruptured a pipe feeding the city’s primary water treatment plant. Cuts to the city’s budget over eight years ago had eliminated crews who oversaw maintenance on
Avoiding 3rd Party Damages to Improve Reliability
This was originally sent out as our August 2019 Telecommunications Newsletter I. Thousands lose internet after third-party damage On July 3, the internet was down all day in heavily populated areas of Raleigh-Durham, NC, Morrisville, NC, and Charleston, SC. A third party caused the widespread damages affecting customers of Comcast,
Preparing for Hurricanes and Preventing Damage to Buried Lines
This was originally sent out as our August 2019 Electric Newsletter I. Preparing for the Storm We are in the middle of hurricane season, and NOAA updated their Atlantic forecast. If predictions are right, we could see 10-17 named storms and 2-4 major hurricanes. In the Carolinas several electric utilities have been
New Pipeline Safety Rules at PHMSA, TRRC, COGC, & PAPUC
This was originally sent out as our August 2019 Gas & Oil Newsletter I. New Safety Rules & Regulations New pipeline regulations continue to move forward at PHMSA as the Senate Commerce committee advanced the reauthorization of the Pipeline Safety Act. The new rules will address over-pressurization and change professional engineering
The True Cost of Telco Damages
by Scott Landes (this article originally appeared in the 2019 spring issue of the dp-PRO magazine) Communications companies always recover all their costs when their cables are damaged by contractors. If you believe this, I have some bad news… there is no Santa Clause, no Easter Bunny, and communications companies
#TheScoop: Tolerance Zone
Here’s the scoop: before you dig, its important to know the tolerance zone in your state. Location markings are only estimates, and the exact locations can vary, so depending on your state digging law, excavators should maintain a minimum horizontal (side to side) clearance of 18 to 30 inches between
811 Trapper Hat Giveaway
Minneapolis was host to Super Bowl LII, and during the week leading up to the big game, the Minnesota winter lived up to its reputation. Knowing all the foot traffic that would be taking place downtown, several organizations in the damage prevention industry jumped at the opportunity to promote excavation
