At 102, Pipe Awarded for Longevity
Not many underground water pipes get a birthday present, but not many turn 100 years old unscathed.
In Denver, however, a century-old steel pipe is being honored for its continuous service to generations of area residents.
Installed in 1911, Denver Water's Conduit 40, a 24-inch diameter steel pipe has just received the Steel Water Pipe Century Club award from the Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association.
"Our Steel Water Pipe Century Club award is presented to utility management whose steel water pipe or pipeline has been in continuous service in the water delivery infrastructure for more than 100 years," Wayne Geyer, executive vice president of STI/SPFA, said in a press release.
A recognition plaque was presented to the Denver Board of Water Commissioners at the Denver Water board meeting on June 12.
Mid-Life Facelift
The 2,500-foot section of water pipe had leaks repaired several times throughout the 1960s and received updated cathodic protection in the mid-1970s, according to Denver Water spokeswoman Stacy L. Chesney.
"And that’s about it," said Chesney. "This pipe has been very reliable, and we haven’t needed to do much maintenance."
"We're proud to receive this recognition for our Conduit 40," said John Bambei, chief of engineering for Denver Water.
"Like all infrastructure, this pipe has required some maintenance from time to time, but it has served us well the entire time it's been in service," said Bambei.
"The continuous water service provided by Conduit 40 demonstrates the strength and durability of steel for use in water infrastructure," said Ralph Carpenter, chairman of STI/SPFA's Steel Water Pipe Section.
Delivering Clean Water
"With rising concern about the aging of infrastructure components across the nation, STI/SPFA's Century Club award recognizes utilities that have properly maintained their steel pipe components, resulting in 100 years or more of uninterrupted delivery of clean drinking water critical for sustaining communities, businesses and industries, and, most importantly, for sustaining life," said Carpenter.
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The Denver Board of Water Commissioners was presented with a plaque June 12. From left to right: Ralph Carpenter, chairman of STI/SPFA Steel Water Pipe Section; John Bambei, Denver Water chief of engineering; Greg Austin, president of the board; Wayne Geyer, executive vice president of STI/SPFA; and Vic DeGrande, incoming chairman of STI/SPFA Steel Water Pipe Section. |
STI/SPFA is a trade association whose member companies fabricate steel tanks, steel water pipe and steel pressure vessels for use in the water, petroleum, food and chemical processing industries.
STI, founded in 1916, and SPFA, founded in 1933, merged in February 2004.
About Denver Water
Denver Water is Colorado's oldest and largest water utility, providing water to 1.3 million people in the city of Denver and many surrounding suburbs. The utility was established in 1918 and is funded by water rates, new tap fees, and the sale of hydropower.
Appointed by the mayor, the five-member Board of Water Commissioners is tasked with ensuring a continuous supply of water to the people of Denver, setting water rates and monitoring the cost and maintenance of the system.
