Acommishpodium1 1 Alabama State Parks, American Cast Iron Pipe Company, Mcwane Cast Iron Pipe Company, Us Pipe — Chris Blankenship announces more than two dozen improvement projects at Alabama State Parks. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)

Alabama State Parks announced over two dozen water and wastewater projects this week.

These improvements will use ductile iron pipes designed and manufactured in Alabama by Alabamians.

About the project

Agroupphoto Alabama State Parks, American Cast Iron Pipe Company, Mcwane Cast Iron Pipe Company, Us Pipe — Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship was joined by state Rep. Berry Forte, as well as officials from U.S. Pipe, the Department of Environmental Management and the Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association, on Thursday, June 26 at Lakepoint State Park in Eufaula to celebrate the use of Alabama-made ductile iron pipe in more than two dozen improvement projects at Alabama State Parks. (Photo Courtesy of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)

Officials announced plans for widespread upgrades to state park water systems Thursday at Lakepoint State Park.

The projects are funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

With a focus on Alabama-made and Alabama labor, the improvements are set to aid not just the parks, but the local economy.

“We will be improving Alabama State Parks by using Alabama-made products built by Alabama workers and used in projects designed by Alabama engineers and installed by Alabama contractors. These projects will strengthen our state parks and support Alabama jobs at the same time. It’s always a good thing when two state agencies, like the Department of Conservation and ADEM, can work together on projects that benefit Alabamians and contribute to our state’s economy.”
Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which oversees State Parks

Parks set for improvements include, but are not limited to:

Lakepoint State Park
Wind Creek State Park
Lake Guntersville State Park
Oak Mountain State Park
Monte Sano State Park

Alabama-made pipes

Aphiluspipe2 Alabama State Parks, American Cast Iron Pipe Company, Mcwane Cast Iron Pipe Company, Us Pipe — Phil Goodwin, director of government affairs for U.S. Pipe, points to the ductal iron pipe manufactured by his company during a media event Thursday, June 26 at Lakepoint State Park in Eufaula. (Photo Courtesy of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)

The key component of these projects are ductile iron pipes. With the majority of such pipes already manufactured in Alabama, focusing on local companies was a no-brainer.

U.S. Pipe, American Cast Iron Pipe Company and McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company are three leading manufacturers of ductile iron pipes nationwide. All three are located in the metro Birmingham area.

“The U.S. Pipe employees in Alabama work hard every day to provide Alabama-made, resilient and reliable water transmission solutions. We are proud of our 126-year history in Alabama and honored to be part of this initial project with Alabama State Parks. We thank the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for specifying domestic ductile iron pipe, the most resilient piping system made today, for their water transmission.”
Ryan McCullough, president of U.S. Pipe