In our often-frantic daily routines, we rarely stop to think about something as simple as the water we consume daily. How does water get to our home? How do we know the water is clean and safe? Who’s responsible for providing this critical need? With May 3rd through the 9th, 2026, being Drinking Water Week, this #IronStrong Blog highlights the importance of water workers and sends a much-deserved thank you!
Have you ever considered how high temperatures impact your choice of piping material for a water system? It might not be something that comes to mind immediately, but it’s an important factor. Water treatment specialists pay close attention to water temperatures because they influence how the water reacts to treatment chemicals. Additionally, water and ground temperatures can significantly affect the performance of certain piping materials, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
The landscapes and environments in which we live are constantly changing, and ensuring that resilient infrastructure is in place to support local communities is a priority for all cities. In regions where natural disasters occur and pose significant threats, such as wildfires and earthquakes, and as seen most recently in areas such as Lahaina, Hawaii, and the Palisades in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County, California, Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) has proven to be a durable and reliable choice for water infrastructure. This article will discuss why selecting the proper material for underground infrastructure is crucial in combating natural disasters and enabling communities to respond more effectively with a reliable source of potable water and vital fire protection.
In regions prone to seismic activity, the resilience of critical infrastructure plays a pivotal role in public safety. Among essential systems, water distribution networks are particularly vulnerable during catastrophic earthquakes, where ground movement and soil liquefaction can cause widespread pipe failure. Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), however, has emerged as a highly reliable material due to its superior properties, joint flexibility, and proven performance in past seismic events. This #IronStrong Blog examines how the unique design and strength characteristics of DI pipes contribute to their remarkable ability to withstand the intense stresses of major earthquakes, ensuring continuity of service when it is needed most.
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