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Do You Have an Iron Deficiency? Considering Health Effects in Pipe Material Selection
08/13/2020 In Environmental & Safety ProductsWe in the United States are most fortunate, for the most part, to have access to safe, clean drinking water. Even when traveling, we are not hesitant to draw water from a hotel faucet to brush our teeth or even fill a glass to drink. This privilege is no accident.
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Handling Ductile Iron Pipe: From Truck to Trench
09/12/2020 In Installation TechnicalAt McWane Ductile, we are proud to manufacture the strongest, most durable, and most flexible piping material available to the waterworks industry. Even with these great attributes, we still take great care when handling Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe). In this Iron Strong Blog, we’ll cover some key tips to safely handling your DI pipe once it arrives at your job site and throughout the construction or your pipeline project.
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What are Some Top FAQs on Ductile Iron Pipe?
09/13/2021 In Installation Products TechnicalAs a manufacturer of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), we often field questions from water professionals regarding DI pipe, its uses, and how to install it properly. We even receive numerous questions about alternate materials, their differences, their uses, and the best choice for the application. And of course, when you ask, we answer…honestly, even when the answer doesn’t include Ductile iron. In this Iron Strong Blog, we’ll cover a few of our frequently asked questions (FAQ) and provide some solutions. We will continue with this FAQ series in the upcoming months.
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Why Does 3” and 4” Pipe Cost More Than Other Ductile Iron Pipe?
06/19/2020 In Products TechnicalA common question that many sales reps in the Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) industry have heard over the years is, "Are you sure you’ve quoted the 3” and 4” pipe correctly?” Once that price is confirmed, the follow-up question from the customer is usually “Why in the world does it cost so much?” Well, there are many reasons for the higher cost, and in this Iron Strong Blog, we will offer some insight into that question.
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The Smoking Gun: Thermal Degradation of Plastic Pipes Linked to Drinking Water Contamination
07/30/2021 In Environmental & Safety ProductsAs of October 2020, more than 47,000 wildfires have occurred across 36 U.S. states. Drought is a major factor, as a large portion of the West is currently experiencing the most severe level of drought, dubbed “exceptional drought” by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Humans cause the majority of wildfires with negligence such as unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes or arson, followed by natural causes such as unusually long-lasting hot lightning bolts. (U.S. Drought Monitor, 2012)
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How Does Proper Bedding Allow a Pipe to “Sleep Well?"
01/22/2021 In Installation TechnicalDid you know the mattress industry is one of the oldest continuous industries in the world? The first mattresses were believed to have been manufactured in 37 BC in Persia. Today, more than 35 million mattresses are shipped world-wide to replace those that have been in service for an average of seven years. So, what does this have to do with Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), you ask? This article will discuss how setting improper bedding in a pipe trench can cause sleepless nights for the water company and its crews due to pipe failures, seemingly always at night — as it is my experience that most large main breaks typically occur after dark!
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What is the Ultimate Pressure Capability of Class 52 Ductile Iron Pipe?
05/21/2021 In Products TechnicalCast iron pipe was introduced to the United States in 1816. Since then, numerous other piping materials have been offered and utilized. None were able to supplant cast iron as the leading performer until Ductile iron pipe became available. The introduction of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) to the marketplace in 1955 remains among the most significant advancements in the history of the pressure pipe industry. It was quickly recognized as a pipe material with all the established durability of gray cast iron, yet with added strength and resiliency from its innate and lasting flexibility. It was first used for special and severe conditions of high pressure, such as where water hammer and excessive external loads might have existed.
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How Can Using Ductile Iron Pipe Save Money on a Water Utility’s Energy Bill?
10/22/2024 In Products TechnicalThe choice of materials in water infrastructure is crucial in ensuring the system's durability and reliability and influencing operational costs. Water and wastewater treatment plants are typically the largest energy consumers for municipalities, accounting for 30 to 40% of total energy consumption. To protect their systems from overload, energy companies must implement rolling blackouts during extreme weather. This #IronStrong Blog discusses the benefits of using Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) in your utility water system and how its key advantages can save you money compared to other materials.
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How Does Ductile Iron Pipe Increase Energy Savings for a Water Utility?
11/03/2022 In Products TechnicalApproximately 85% of a utility’s capital investment is underground. Since water and sewer infrastructure plays such a significant role in the total energy consumption of municipalities, more emphasis must be placed on energy savings when selecting pipe materials. This Iron Strong Blog will describe factors that affect energy cost at water utilities and how to save money.
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What Are Some Common Misconceptions Associated with Ductile Iron Pipe?
12/04/2020 In Products TechnicalIn 1492, Christopher Columbus was shocked when his ship made landfall in a land Europeans had never explored. Along the way, he proved that Earth isn’t flat after all. Right?
Wrong: Despite a persistent legend, neither Columbus nor his Spanish patrons thought Earth was a finite plane instead of a round planet. That was thanks to scientists, philosophers, and mathematicians who, as early as around 600 B.C., made observations that Earth was round. Using calculations based on the sun's rise and fall, shadows, and other physical properties of the planet, Greek scholars like Pythagoras and Aristotle determined that the planet is actually a sphere.1
So, what’s the point of today’s history lesson? It often reminds me that there are numerous myths associated with Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), and in this Iron Strong Blog, we’ll list some of those ideas, provide factual data, and discuss why they are simply misconceptions.
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