Warmer water and rising oceans equal more intense and more frequent storms, and the rise in frequency and destruction we’ve seen from storms out of the gulf and across the country are just one of the symptoms of climate change. Hurricane Ian recently demonstrated the...
Inflow & Infiltration
Lead Service Line Replacement Programs Made More Complex by Incomplete Data
We don’t know how many lead service lines remain in service, and estimates vary by the millions. The American Water Works Association estimated that there are more than 6 million lead service lines across the country, but other sources put the number closer to 9...
Water Supply Safety in Focus During Safety Month
During National Safety Month, you’re focusing on ways to be safe both at home and at work. Since we’re all preoccupied with improving our personal hygiene to fight the global pandemic, and water is such an important component of personal hygiene, have you considered...
Looking At the Future of Infrastructure
As Congress and the president eye a bipartisan effort at improving our aging infrastructure, the time for a wide-reaching infrastructure program to rebuild water, electric, transportation and information infrastructure, is now. The need for locally-based planning and...
Aging Infrastructure Leads to Lost Money and Public Health Concerns
It is no secret that our country’s aging infrastructure is worsening, and that there is no one guiding agency or overall plan to address myriad issues from crumbling water pipes to inflow and infiltration overloading storm and wastewater sewers. Lead and Asbestos Even...
Rebuilding Sewage and Water Infrastructure Is Urgently Needed Publicly and Privately
That our national sewage and water infrastructure is in dire shape is no surprise to anyone – nearly ten years ago, the New York Times wrote an article warning of the then 240,000 estimated water main breaks occurring each year, marveling that, in some parts of the...
The Fallout From Service Line Failures
Water damage to a home, whether from a sewer backup or an interior plumbing problem, is not something to take lightly – and, in some cases, homeowners insurance won’t cover not only the plumbing, but the water damage to the home, unless the homeowner has purchased...
Three Environmental Factors That Cause Service Lines To Fail
Are your residents aware of their responsibility to maintain their water and sewer service lines? In a State of the Home Winter survey, 13 percent of respondents thought service lines are the responsibility of the municipality or utility, and 18 percent didn’t know...
America’s Water Infrastructure Crisis: The Six Pillar Solution
Earlier this year, we introduced the idea of Six Pillars that must be addressed to reverse the dire state of America's water infrastructure. The solution lies in leadership and a plan that addresses these many challenges comprehensively. Pillar #1 is Education. Before...
Green Infrastructure: Three Key Concepts for Municipal Officials
As municipal officials look to improve infrastructure, rehabilitate distressed neighborhoods and make communities more livable, many are turning to green infrastructure, which uses existing infrastructure, such as parks, to contain and filter water and direct it away...