Ronald Ballinger, professor of nuclear science and engineering and materials science and engineering, has been named one of the three members of an independent panel of experts appointed by the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) to examine what caused the loss of the insulating coupling along a section of the MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel — a failure that resulted in a boil water order for 30 eastern Massachusetts communities in early May.
The expert panel, appointed on June 29, is chaired by Zorica Pantic, President of Wentworth Institute of Technology, and includes Ballinger — who is also director of the H. H. Uhlig Corrosion Laboratory — and John H. Bambei Jr., chief of engineering for Denver Water and chairman of the American Waterworks Associations' Committee on Steel Pipe.
This independent review panel will prepare a report of its findings and recommendations about the design, construction and other defects or deficiencies that may have contributed to the failure of the affected section of the tunnel. It will include any evidence that may allow MWRA to pursue cost recovery efforts, and will also make general recommendations about the design, installation and testing of past and future pipe coupling systems.
Read the MWRA press release
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