DIPRA Welcomes Corner Brook to the Century Club

The Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) welcomes the City of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, to the Century Club, which pays tribute to the legacy of cast iron drinking water pipes.

“The City of Corner Brook’s induction into the Century Club is a testament to the enduring legacy of cast iron pipe and the forward-thinking approach of communities that continue to invest in resilient infrastructure,” says David Cole, DIPRA president. “As the innovative descendent of cast iron, today’s Ductile iron is far superior to other pipe materials and is known for its strength, longevity, resilience, and environmentally friendly structure. Water professionals and municipal leaders across North America look to build resilient systems that will last for generations, and they know that Ductile iron pipe fulfills it promise. We’re proud to recognize Corner Brook as the first municipality from Newfoundland and Labrador to join the Century Club and celebrate a century of reliable water service.”

The length of pipe that being recognized for inclusion in the Century Club was a 250mm pipe (approximately 10 in.) installed in 1924 along West Street.

Corner Brook primarily uses modern Ductile iron pipe to replace aging cast iron mains.

“Cast and ductile iron pipe have both proven to be highly successful in our municipality,” says Erik Neilson, assistant manager of Engineering Service for Corner Brook. “These materials have consistently demonstrated long-term durability, reliability, and strong performance in both water and wastewater applications. Cast iron pipe has provided decades of dependable service, while Ductile iron continues to be a preferred choice due to its superior strength, flexibility, and corrosion resistance. Overall, both have played a vital role in supporting a resilient and efficient utility.”

Neilson added that being inducted into the Century Club reflects their long-standing commitment to building and maintaining a reliable, durable infrastructure that serves their community.

“This recognition highlights the effectiveness of using cast iron and Ductile iron pipe over the decades and reaffirms our confidence in their continued use for the future,” Neilson said.

The Cast Iron Pipe Century Club was organized in 1947 to publicly recognize water utilities with Cast Iron mains that have provided service for 100 years or more. There are more than 550 water utilities in the United States and 35 water utilities in Canada that are members of DIPRA’s Century Club. DIPRA also sponsors a Sesquicentennial Club, of which 27 utilities in the U.S. and five (5) in Canada, are known to have enjoyed cast iron pipelines in service for more than 150 years.