Recently, officials shared details about over 20 water and wastewater initiatives across Alabama State Park. Notably, many of these projects are utilizing ductile iron pipes that are made in Alabama. Funding for these efforts comes from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA); this information was noted by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

Chris Blankenship, chair of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, emphasized the use of locally sourced products. He mentioned, “We will employ products made by Alabama workers, engineered by Alabama professionals, and constructed by Alabama contractors to enhance Alabama State Parks.” He added that these projects aim to not only fortify the state parks but also boost local employment opportunities, suggesting that collaboration between state agencies could lead to significant benefits for Alabamians and the economy alike.

The announcement took place at Lake Point State Park, where work on one of the initial projects has already been completed. All project plans must be crafted by an American company, with ductile iron pipes being a requirement across the board.

It’s interesting to note that most of the ductile iron pipes produced in the U.S. come from three companies based in Alabama. These include US Pipe, the American Cast Iron Pipe Company, and McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company, all of which operate out of the Birmingham metro area.

During the event, elected officials participated alongside state park staff and local leaders, including those from the Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association. The focus was on the upcoming projects that will use Alabama’s ductile iron pipes, which are set to improve numerous state parks.

Among the parks slated for upgrades are Wind Creek State Park in Alexander City, Lake Guntersville State Park, Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, and Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville. It really highlights how many areas stand to gain from these improvements.

Ryan McCullough, president of US Pipe, remarked on the commitment of his employees, saying, “We work hard every day to provide a dependable water solution made right here in Alabama.” He expressed pride in the company’s long history in the state and gratitude for being part of the first project with Alabama State Parks, underscoring the importance of using domestically produced ductile iron pipes, which are considered to be among the most reliable plumbing systems available today.

The context here is that Alabama State Parks operates under the Alabama Department of Natural Resources, managing 21 state parks that encompass over 50,000 acres of land and water throughout Alabama.