Infrastructure is in the headlines again thanks to the Obama Administration and its strategy to help create jobs by rebuilding the nation's roads, bridges and water systems. In fact, renewed interest in infrastructure is so high the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) moved up the release of its Report Card for America's Infrastructure. Unfortunately, the news was not good.
The average grade given to the nation's infrastructure was extremely low-a D- -while the price to repair it was extraordinarily high: $2.2 trillion over the next five years. Additionally, of the 15 categories reviewed, water infrastructure was singled out as especially deficient and functionally obsolete.
The Economic Impact of Water
With the global population growing by 50 million people each year and climate change making many areas susceptible to drought, water will become increasingly scarce, according to a recent report by Ceres and The Pacific Institute. In fact, more than two-thirds of states in the United States predict water shortages by 2012.
The Pacific Institute's report highlights the impact that a lack of water is having on the country's economy. For example, it caused power plant shutdowns in the Southeastern United States that resulted in price increases and reduced economic growth. Major beverage companies have been unable to build bottling plants that would directly and indirectly employ thousands of people. Reduced water availability for agriculture has increased food and commodity prices, and threatened the livelihoods of agricultural workers throughout the West.
In California, more than a quarter of a billion dollars was lost last year due to a lack of water, and it is predicted that the state will suffer even more severe economic losses in 2009 due to the water crisis.
The news is grim in regions that rely on technology, apparel, pharmaceutical, forest products and metal/mining for job and economic growth because these industries require large and inexpensive water supplies, and are especially prone to short- and long-term economic risks related to water dependence.
While awareness of water scarcity and its impact is increasing, the operative word in this pending crisis is management. Not just in terms of reducing water footprints and finding new ways to meet ongoing demand-all of which are important-but management in the context of reducing the unbelievable water waste that occurs due to a lack of infrastructure innovation.
Eliminating Waste
According to the ASCE's 2009 Infrastructure Report Card, leaking pipes lose an estimated seven billion gallons of clean drinking water per day. In fact, approximately 15 percent of municipal water is lost to leaks, and public water systems that serve more than one million people in the United States average a loss of 17 percent. This is especially troublesome when you consider the time, money and resources spent on treating and transporting water never used because of infrastructure leakage.
It is no surprise then that the grade given to America's water infrastructure was a D-, and that much of the country's infrastructure-which is near the end of its useful life-will require $11 billion to comply with existing or future federal water regulations.
While many of our cities were visionary in developing advanced water infrastructure, these systems are now more than 100 years old and no longer capable of serving the nation's needs. Made with ductile iron or concrete, the pipes are corroding, clogged and handling less volume in terms of water being moved. In fact, 45 percent of the country's pipes will be rated poor, very poor or elapsed by 2020.
They are extremely susceptible to breaks and bursts (thousands occur each year) of which only the most critical are fixed, leaving others to leak permanently. Some of the more highly publicized pipe breaks-including recent instances in Washington, D.C. and New York City-have increased fear among residents about the state of their water pipes, and highlighted the underlying problems of our current water infrastructure system.
Leaking water and sewer pipes can pose environmental and health issues. There is an increased risk of sewage or ground water infiltrating the lines, contaminating drinking water supplies and bringing disease to users. Corroding pipes that should be carrying sewage to treatment plants instead leak wastewater underground and pollute the soil, underground aquifers and nearby watersheds. Water exfiltration can lead to sinkholes, road damage, flooding and compromised building foundations.
Add to that the fact that existing infrastructure was not designed for population growth, let alone the current rate of individual water consumption (100 gallons per day compared to 10 gallons 100 years ago). There is clearly a dire need to repair, expand and improve our existing water infrastructure.
The status quo cannot prevail if we are serious about sustainable solutions. Indeed, it would be devastating to replace our old water infrastructure system with a new one that would essentially create the same problems. It is imperative that we move away from traditional (and comfortable) methods and materials to newer and more innovative solutions.
New and Better Options
The good news is that new options and technologies have been developed that are stronger and more durable-as well as more flexible and less labor intensive to install-compared to what has traditionally been used. These innovative approaches comply with various new construction, zoning and environmental standards/requirements, and can often be used to avoid massive construction projects to replace or rebuild leaky, outdated or broken pipes.
By using techniques like pipe bursting and directional drilling, engineers can repair damaged or outdated lines without digging the entire pipe out of the ground. This "trenchless technology" allows old systems to be replaced by inserting high-density polyethylene (HDPE) lines into existing iron or concrete pipe. Not only does this approach immediately restore water pressure and eliminate water loss, but it also protects property by removing the need for extensive construction.
In most every instance where traditional materials have been used, alternatives can meet the demands of designers, engineers, architects, contractors, community officials and the public. These alternatives are often practical and profitable, not only in terms of a traditional cost/price scenario, but also in relation to the environment.
For example, the cost of opening an old iron, steel, clay or concrete line and inserting HDPE pipe can be 33 to 66 percent less than the traditional dig-and-replace method. Due to the longevity of HDPE, the cost benefit can hit 300 percent.
Alternative materials can have a smaller carbon footprint since less heat and energy is required during the manufacturing process. Because they weigh less and more can be shipped on one truck bed, they help in reducing transportation costs.
Moving Forward
While there has been much discussion about water infrastructure investment-especially in the context of the Obama administration's proposed stimulus bill-the debate must quickly move from repairing and replacing to making smart decisions on how we do it.
Technology has changed the way we can (and should) design infrastructure systems. Unfortunately, many municipalities and utilities are simply reacting to the old problems with the same traditional approaches that ultimately result in more dramatic water waste.
Today we have an opportunity to improve our water infrastructure by using innovative approaches and materials that not only eliminate the tremendous leakage, but also allow communities to build solid systems that will help pave the way for economic prosperity.
Pumps & Systems, October 2009