DIPRA Welcomes Maine’s North Berwick Water District to the Century Club

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) welcomes the North Berwick Water District in Maine to The Century Club, which honors the strength and resilience of the cast iron pipes that have delivered clean, safe drinking water for generations. 

“Cast iron pipes are the legendary frontrunners of all modern-day, water pipe infrastructure,” said DIPRA President David Cole. “They were built to last, and the North Berwick Water District knows how well they have served the community for more than 100 years. Today’s modern Ductile iron is cast iron’s descendant and carries through that same strength and long service life. Water professionals know they can trust Ductile iron to provide clean, safe water for generations. One of the most important innovations for Ductile iron is that it is environmentally friendly and is made from 90% recycled materials. We commend the water professionals and leaders in North Berwick for choosing pipes that will safeguard their community for hundreds of years.” 

Cast iron pipe was initially laid down in North Berwick in 1896. The section of pipe being recognized for inclusion in The Century Club is 4-inch pipe that safely conveyed water for 126 years before it was removed from service in 2022. 

North Berwick Water District Superintendent Michael Gaudette said the cast iron and Ductile iron pipes have been reliable infrastructure for decades. The strength and durability of these pipes give the town peace of mind that their drinking water is safe and healthy. 

“It’s nice to know that some of our materials have been servicing the town of North Berwick for more than 110 years,” Gaudette 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 in Canada, are known to have had cast iron pipelines in service for more than 150 years.

Pictured: Steven Daul, P.E., DIPRA Regional Engineer, Northeast (left) presents Maine’s North Berwick Water District Superintendent Mike Gaudette (center), and Plant Operator Marc Gagnon (right), with a certificate inducting the utility into DIPRA’s Cast Iron Pipe Century Club.

About DIPRA

Founded in 1915, the Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) has served as a resource and technical advisor to the water industry. DIPRA also provides representation on standards-making committees as well as technical research on a variety of applications-based topics. While DIPRA member companies have different names and locations, they share a common commitment to produce and deliver the finest quality water and wastewater pipe material in the world, Ductile Iron Pipe, and at the greatest possible value to its purchasers.