BALTIMORE, MD – The City of Baltimore, in conjunction with Pure Technologies, will host the first ever Pipeline Management 5k run/walk beginning at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 23. It is anticipated that approximately 100 people will participate, all aiming to emphasize the importance of proactively managing our underground water infrastructure.

 

This event, the first of what will be an annual series of run/walks, is a part of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) “Pipelines 2015 Conference” which is being held at the Marriott from August 23 to 26. Nearly 1,000 pipeline professionals will attend the conference, most of which is focused water and wastewater mains.

 

The City of Baltimore is significantly increasing its investment in proactive pipeline management by implementing a multiyear program to inspect the condition of its water mains. This investment allows the city to identify and fix problematic locations to ensure the integrity of the buried water infrastructure.

This summer, the City of Baltimore has partnered with Pure Technologies of Columbia, Maryland, to kick off an improved pipeline management program aimed at reducing water main breaks in the City’s system. Baltimore City had successfully worked with Pure Technologies in 2012 in using the high-tech PipeDiver ®, along with acoustics, to discover weaknesses in the 54” Southwest Water Transmission main. Those pipeline sections were immediately replaced and repaired.

Department of Public Works Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E. stated: “The benefits won’t be immediate, but over time, Baltimore anticipates a reduction of water main breaks, particularly large diameter main breaks that can cause the most disruption.”

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake noted: “The program demonstrates the City’s commitment to providing a long term, sustainable solution for one of the City’s most valuable assets - its buried water infrastructure. Out of sight can never mean out of mind.”

 

Deputy Mayor of Operations, Kahlil A. Zaied, will welcome the runners and outline some of the work Baltimore is conducting. Some of the technologies being used will be on display before the run/walk begins.

 

Proceeds from the run are going to Water for People, an organization working worldwide to provide people with safe, sustainable drinking water.

 

More information can be found at www.pipelinemanagement5k.com