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Researchers Study Aging U.S. Water Infrastructure

Surcharging manholes and sewer overflows  indicate the need to improve our water infrastructure.

Surcharging manholes and sewer overflows indicate the need to improve our water infrastructure.

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America’s drinking and wastewater infrastructure is aging and the costs and environmental risks due to failure are sobering. Some 240,000 drinking water mains break each year costing billions in lost water. Wastewater collection systems experience thousands of sanitary sewer overflows annually, discharging billions of gallons of untreated wastewater into the environment. A recent EPA analysis of the potential funding gap in U.S. infrastructure needs by the year 2020, developed in collaboration with key stakeholders from government, academia, and professional and trade associations, projected that if operation, maintenance, and capital investment remain at current levels, the potential funding shortage for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure could exceed $500 billion.

To address these concerns, EPA has initiated a new program in aging water infrastructure (AWI) research called “Innovation and Research for Water Infrastructure for the 21st Century,” and has invited stakeholders to participate in its implementation. The program examines three major areas: condition assessment, rehabilitation, and advanced concepts in design, management, and operation of water systems. The program focuses on both drinking water and wastewater conveyance systems.  This story outlines the plans for addressing aging wastewater collection systems.

Wastewater Collection Systems

There are more than 600,000 miles of wastewater sewer lines in the United States. Their function is to transport wastewater from a variety of community sources, including sewage, industrial wastewater, and storm water (in combined systems) to points of treatment and disposal. Collection systems vary widely, with differing networks of pipes, pumping systems, and other equipment, some with components over 100 years old. Early communities simply piped storm water and sanitary waste directly into the nearest body of water. Later, combined storm water and sanitary systems separated wastes for transport to primitive treatment plants that removed solids via screening and settling—with characteristic problems of odor. Today, these combined systems in many U.S. cities deal effectively with wastewater in dry weather, but the problem of combined system overflows during heavy rainfalls remains a persistent problem.

Here are some additional facts:

  • There are up to 75,000 sanitary sewer overflows per year in the U.S.
  • These overflows discharge 3-10 billion gallons of untreated wastewater annually into local waterways.
  • Up to 3,700 illnesses annually are due to exposure to contamination from sanitary sewer overflows into recreational waters.

To communicate information about the wastewater collection system aspects of the AWI research program, NRMRL water quality researchers have developed three Science Briefs featuring (1) Condition Assessment, (2) Rehabilitation, and (3) Advanced Concepts. The briefs describe current issues, state of the technology, and new research for each of the three areas. They also include an invitation to utilities, vendors, researchers, academics, trade and professional water associations, and other government agencies to collaborate in the program.

EPA, whose primary role is that of advocate for a sustainable water infrastructure, is only one partner in this effort, and sharing information and tools with stakeholders is essential to the long-term stewardship of our wastewater collection infrastructure.

Contact

Jane Ice, NRMRL Office of Public Affairs (513) 569-7311

See Also

Aging Water Infrastructure Research Program, Addressing the Challenge Through Innovation (PDF) (6 pp, 908 KB) (EPA/600/F-07/015) September 2007

Science Brief, Condition Assessment of Wastewater Collection Systems (PDF) (2 pp, 328 KB) (EPA/600/F-07/014) September 2007

Science Brief, Rehabilitation of Wastewater Collection Systems (PDF) (2 pp, 292 KB) (EPA/600/F-07/012) September 2007

Science Brief, Advanced Concepts for Wastewater Collection Systems (PDF) (2 pp, 352 KB) (EPA/600/F-07/013) September 2007

Sustainable Infrastructure for Water and Wastewater

New NRMRL Publications

DiGiulio, D.C. (2007). “EPA Compares Three Soil-Gas Sampling Systems for Vapor Intrusion Investigations Exit EPA Disclaimer.” Technology News and Trends, 31: 3–4, July.

Glaser, J.A. “Future of Energy.” (2007). Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, SpringerLink Exit EPA Disclaimer, New York, NY, 9, 3: 157–161, July.

Rogers, J. V., Y. Choi, W. Richter, et al. (2007). “Formaldehyde Gas Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus subtilis, and Geobacillus stearothermophilus Spores on Indoor Surface Materials.” Journal of Applied Microbiology, 103, 4: 1104–1112, October. Abstract Exit EPA Disclaimer

Shuster, W.D., R. Gehring, and J. Gerken. (2007). “Prospects for Enhanced Groundwater Via Infiltration of Urban Stormwater Runoff: A Case Study.” Journal of Soil and Water Conservation.  62, 3: 129–137, May. Abstract Exit EPA Disclaimer

EPA Reports

Atlanta Commute Vehicle Soak and Start Distributions and Engine Parts per Day, Impact on Mobile Source Emission Rates (PDF) (64 pp, 2.09 MB) (EPA/600/R-07/075) April 2007

Generic Verification Protocol for the Verification of Pesticide Spray Drift Reduction Technologies for Row and Field Crops (PDF) (58 pp, 708 KB) (EPA/600/R-07/102) April 2007

Xpert Design and Diagnostics’ (XDD) In Situ Chemical Oxidation Process Using Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) (PDF) (96 pp, 3.75 MB) (EPA/540/R-07/005) 2007


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