As the backbone of public health, economic development, and environmental sustainability, America’s water infrastructure is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of national well-being.
Unfortunately, much of this infrastructure is aging and in need of urgent attention.
The State of Our Water Infrastructure
Approximately 250,000 water main breaks occur each year in the United States, according to the American Water Works Association (AWWA). These breaks lead not only to wasted water but also to significant economic costs, including emergency repairs and disruptions in service. Much of this infrastructure, including pipes, treatment plants, and storage facilities, was installed decades ago and is reaching the end of its useful life.
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) 2021 Infrastructure Report Card gave America’s drinking water infrastructure a “C-,” emphasizing the need for major investments. This grade reflects a combination of deteriorating pipes, outdated treatment technologies, and insufficient funding for maintenance and upgrades.
Funding Shortfalls
One of the main challenges facing water infrastructure is the lack of adequate funding. The AWWA estimates that over the next two decades, utilities will need to invest around $1 trillion to improve and maintain water infrastructure. However, many local and state governments struggle to secure the necessary funds. This shortfall is exacerbated by rising operational costs and declining federal investment.
Many water systems rely heavily on revenue from water sales and property taxes, which can fluctuate with economic conditions. This creates a vicious cycle: when economic downturns occur, revenues decrease, leaving utilities with less money to invest in necessary repairs and upgrades.
The Impact of Climate Change
Climate change is another critical factor affecting America’s water infrastructure. Increasingly severe weather events, such as floods and droughts, strain systems that were not designed to cope with such variability. These changes can lead to increased demand on water supplies and higher costs for treatment and delivery.
Moreover, aging infrastructure is less resilient to climate change impacts. For example, pipes made of outdated materials, such as lead and asbestos, can exacerbate public health risks, particularly in low-income communities that often lack the resources for necessary upgrades. Nearly 6 million lead service lines remain in use across the country, posing significant health risks.
Public Health Risks
The deterioration of water infrastructure directly affects public health. Aging pipes can lead to contamination from pathogens, heavy metals, and other harmful substances. The crisis in Flint, Michigan, is a stark reminder of what can happen when infrastructure fails. Lead leached into the drinking water due to corroded pipes, resulting in long-term health issues for residents, particularly children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even low levels of lead exposure can lead to developmental delays and cognitive impairments in children. Investing in modernizing water systems is crucial to ensuring safe drinking water for all Americans.
The Role of Technology
Emerging technologies offer promising solutions to address some of the challenges posed by aging water infrastructure. Advanced monitoring systems, including smart sensors and data analytics, can help utilities detect leaks and assess the condition of pipes in real-time. These technologies enable more efficient use of resources and can extend the lifespan of existing infrastructure.
The use of innovative materials is also gaining traction. For example, trenchless technologies allow for the replacement of aging pipes without extensive excavation, minimizing disruption to communities. These methods can reduce cost and lead to faster repairs.
Community Engagement and Policy Solutions
Addressing the aging water infrastructure crisis requires a collaborative approach that involves federal, state, and local governments, as well as community stakeholders. The ASCE advocates for policies that prioritize water infrastructure investment, including increased federal funding and more robust grant programs for local utilities.
Community engagement is also crucial. Residents must understand the importance of water infrastructure and be willing to support funding initiatives. Public awareness campaigns can educate citizens about the challenges facing their local water systems and the necessity for investment in upgrades and maintenance.
Learn How to Protect Your Water Infrastructure During WSDAW
America’s aging water infrastructure presents a formidable challenge that affects public health, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. By prioritizing funding, embracing innovative technologies, and engaging communities, we can work towards a more resilient and reliable water infrastructure that ensures safe and clean drinking water for all Americans.
Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week, sponsored by GPRS, is a safety initiative designed to help water and wastewater system operators take a more proactive approach to maintaining their infrastructure. From October 21-25, 2024, GPRS’ safety experts will travel across the country delivering free safety presentations to municipalities, engineers, facility managers, property management groups, and anyone else who is ready to regain control of their fresh and wastewater infrastructure.
Click here to schedule your free WSDAW presentation today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many miles of pipe can GPRS test for leaks in one day?
Our expertly trained Project Managers (PMs) can test up to 10 miles of pipe a day on a metallic system (Cast Iron/Ductile). Experienced Leak Detectors can test a contact point (Hydrant/Valve) within a minute before moving on to the next one. GPRS can work efficiently because our PMs are trained to hear the specific tone that a leak produces compared to any other number of noises a general environment makes.
Can you determine the size of the leak you locate?
After analyzing thousands of previous leaks detected, we asked clients to send us pictures of the remediation. This information has helped us compare our final leak signal detected with the results of the actual leak. We determine the size of the leak by how far the leak signal travels between contact points and the pitch of the tone received. However, we do not produce formal leak estimations.
Why don’t I see any water where you’ve located a leak?
Water finds the path of least resistance. Water can run through cracks in subsurface rock or make its way into storm, sanitary, and conduit piping. If the subsurface contains a high volume of sand, it will naturally flow farther down. There is no water visible on the surface in more than 99% of the leaks we locate.
