Don't miss this chance to gain valuable insights that will benefit your projects. We look forward to seeing you there!
Choose Your Event and RSVP below:
Walnut Creek, CA | November 4
Location:
• Walnut Creek Marriott
Speakers:
• Steve Barfuss, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Utah State University
• Doug Seargeant, Retired Engineer, EPCOR Edmonton
• Bruce Hollands, President and CEO, Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association
Dallas, TX | November 6
Location:
• The Westin Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas
Speakers:
• Steve Barfuss, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Utah State University
• Doug Seargeant, Retired Engineer, EPCOR Edmonton
• Bruce Hollands, President and CEO, Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association
Orlando, FL | November 8
Location:
• Orlando World Center Marriott
Speakers:
• Steve Barfuss, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Utah State University
• Doug Seargeant, Retired Engineer, EPCOR Edmonton
• Jay Parvez, Engineer, Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association
Woodbridge, ON | November 12
Location:
• Universal Event Space
Speakers:
• Steve Barfuss, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Utah State University
• Doug Seargeant, Retired Engineer, EPCOR Edmonton
• Alejandro Ospina, Engineer, Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association
Topics covered will include:
- The Latest Survey Results from Utah State University: "Water Main Break Rates in the USA and Canada: A Comprehensive Study".
- Health, Safety, and Environmental Performance of PVC Pipe.
- Life Cycle Assessment of PVC Pipe Compared to Common Alternatives.
- Intro to PVCO.
Event Schedule
Lunch will be served and all attendees will receive the latest research studies and the 5th edition of the PVC Pipe Handbook.
| 10:00 am: | Registration |
| 10:15 am: | Coordinators Welcome |
| 10:30 am: | Utah State Water Main Break Rates in USA & Canada – Professor Barfuss |
| 11:30 am: | PVC WATER MAIN PIPE CASE STUDIES - Building a Legacy of Successful Service – Doug Seargeant |
| 12:30 pm: | Lunch |
| 1:30 pm: | Health, Safety, Environment and Life Cycle Analysis of PVC & PVCO Pipes – Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association |
| 2:15 pm: | Intro to PVCO – Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association |
| 2:30 pm: | End of Program |
Steve Barfuss
Steven L. Barfuss is a Research Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, and an associate director at the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL). Steve has over 37 years of research experience at the UWRL studying the flow of water through municipal and agricultural water systems and helping to solve difficult hydraulic problems. Over the years, along with the help of dozens of his undergraduate and graduate research students, he has performed many successful research projects studying pipe hydrostatic pressure limits, pipe hydraulic roughness, the hydraulics of pipelines (including; flow measurement, velocity profiles, pressure transients and cavitation problems) as well as pipe failure analyses. He has authored over 1000 research reports and more than 50 peer-reviewed technical journal articles while employed at the Utah Water Research Laboratory.
Topic:
This session will cover the critical aspects of water main performance, including material types, pipe diameters, age, and the impacts of environmental factors like soil corrosion. Discover how PVC pipes stand out with the lowest break rates, and learn how utility managers can leverage this data to enhance asset management and make informed decisions for infrastructure procurement and maintenance.
Doug Seargent
Doug Seargeant began working in the municipal engineering field in 1978. After working as a Professional Engineer for 10 years in the consulting engineering industry, Doug joined EPCOR Water Services, the City-owned water utility in Edmonton, Alberta. For the next 31 years, he provided leadership in the water distribution group in the design, construction and maintenance of water pipes. It was during this time that he also undertook testing of various pipe materials, including PVC pipe.
Topic:
Water distribution system reliability is a primary concern for most water utilities. Not only do customers become dissatisfied when the water supply is not available when they want to use it, but the cost of responding to and repairing water main failures can put unwanted pressure on utility operating costs and associated rates charged to those customers. Failure rates vary between different pipe materials. PVC water main pipe has provided exceptionally reliable service for more than 40 years in some Canadian utilities. The results of testing of this pipe material have demonstrated its resilience.
This presentation provides a summary of testing of pipe after 40 years of service, as well as a number of other tests of PVC water main pipe conducted over a period of almost 25 years, combined with information related to actual water utility experiences with this pipe material.
Bruce Hollands
Bruce Hollands is President & CEO of the PVC Pipe Association, representing North American manufacturers of sustainable, corrosion-proof PVC pipe for water, sewer, and irrigation infrastructure since 1971. Mr. Hollands is the primary liaison with all levels of government and regulatory agencies and is responsible for developing public policy, technical standards and establishing the Association’s strategic direction. Bruce has over 25 years of experience working with local government, water utilities and related state/provincial and federal agencies in Canada and the United States.
Jay Parvez
Jay Parvez, P.E., is a Regional Engineer for the PVC Pipe Association and covers the Southeast Region of the U.S. and Canada. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University and has previous experience in consulting engineering with hydraulic modeling of water distribution systems. Jay is also involved in various committees in developing standards and manuals with AWWA, ASTM, and ASCE.
Alejandro Ospina
Alejandro Ospina is a Graduate Engineer for the PVC Pipe Association and covers the North Central Region of the U.S. and Canada. He has a dual B.Sc. in Environmental Engineering and Agricultural Engineering with over 15 years of experience in various engineering capacities in the design and construction of underground infrastructure and spent nine years as a Technical Sales Engineer for municipal solutions with ALIAXIS in Colombia. He is fluent in English and Spanish and serves as a Specialist in the U.S. Army Reserve.
