DIPRA Welcomes Newfoundland's City of Corner Brook to the Century Club

Century Club Honors Legacy of Cast Iron Pipes in Drinking Water Systems

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) welcomes the City of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada, 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," said DIPRA President David Cole. "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 is being recognized for inclusion in the Century Club was a 250mm pipe (approximately 10 inches) 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," said 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.

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.

SOURCE Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA)