U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 Administrator Kevin McOmber and Alabama Department of Environmental Management Director Edward Poolos toured ductile iron pipe and fittings manufacturing facilities across Alabama on October 28 and 29. The tours highlighted the state’s central role in the nation’s water infrastructure industry and the companies and workers who help deliver drinking water to communities across the country.
Birmingham and the surrounding region have been the epicenter of America’s iron pipe industry for more than a century. All three of the nation’s domestic ductile iron pipe producers maintain their headquarters in Birmingham, and the pipe and fittings they make in Alabama serve water and wastewater systems nationwide.
Over the two days, state and federal officials visited a manufacturing facility operated by each of the three companies: American Cast Iron Pipe Company, McWane and U.S. Pipe. Officials saw firsthand how recycled scrap metal can become finished pipe and fittings and met the skilled workers making those products. They also learned about the companies’ investments in modern production and environmental controls…