OBIC Products announces Project of the Year at annual OBICcon event
OBIC Products announced that Midwest Infrastructure Coatings has been awarded the 2025 Project of the Year. The announcement was made during the 2026 OBICcon annual event, where representatives from the OBIC Certified Installer network and key vendors gathered to recognize excellence in infrastructure rehabilitation. The Project of the Year designation is the highest honor within the OBIC network, signifying a commitment to advancing the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure worldwide. Midwest Infrastructure Coatings earned the top spot for its exceptional work on the Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plant 54 RCP Rehabilitation in Arlington, Texas. The treatment plant, operated by Arlington Water Utilities, produces over 18 billion gallons of drinking water annually.
Azuria Water Solutions acquires Waterline Renewal Technologies
Azuria Water Solutions has acquired Waterline Renewal Technologies. Headquartered in Ottawa, Illinois, Waterline delivers advanced infrastructure rehabilitation solutions through its nationwide distribution network. The company’s suite of engineered products and equipment is used in the trenchless rehabilitation of wastewater and stormwater infrastructure for residential, municipal, commercial and industrial applications. Waterline’s flagship brands include Perma-Liner Industries, LMK Technologies, LightRay and APM.
Veolia Workforce Academy launched online
Veolia, alongside the Water Environment Federation and the American Water Works Association, launched Veolia Workforce Academy North America, a free fully digital workforce training and employment pathway program, designed to expand nationwide access to water sector careers while creating skilled jobs and strengthening the U.S. water sector. Veolia Workforce Academy North America, academy.veolia.us, removes barriers to entry for people to learn technical skills and prepare for the state certifications necessary to enter and advance a career in the industry.
Tsurumi Pump partners with Smith Pump to expand offerings
Tsurumi Pump has partnered with Smith Pump to expand its pump offerings, driven by a shared focus on municipal applications. The relationship between the two companies centers on Tsurumi’s AVANT line of pumps and mixers, which aligns closely with the demands of municipal infrastructure projects. Founded in 1962, Smith Pump established its presence in the municipal market by combining application insight with dependable equipment solutions, making the partnership with Tsurumi a natural fit.
PPI names recipients of its Lifetime Achievement Award
The Plastics Pipe Institute announced the most recent recipients of its Lifetime Achievement Award, Steve Sandstrum and Dean Jenne. The award recognizes outstanding leadership, technical expertise and unwavering commitment to advancing the plastic piping industry. Both Sandstrum and Jenne have served in voluntary positions at the association for several decades. Sandstrum’s leadership and service have included serving on the PPI board of directors, including roles as chair and division chair, serving as president of the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association and on its board of directors, playing a pivotal role in launching the PPI sustainability committee in 2020 and contributing to countless task groups and committees within PPI. He now serves as chairman of the ASTM F17 committee on plastic piping systems. Jenne’s contributions include more than 30 years of active participation in PPI’s building and construction division, particularly within the hydronic technical division, service on the BCD management committee from 2012 to 2014, technical leadership in 25 successful BCD research and development projects between 2010 and 2024, and more than 25 years of service on the CSA B137 plastic pressure piping technical committee, including serving as chair from 1996 to 1998.
