Assessment of Aging Water Distribution Systems

Learn how to plan and execute a program to assess and address aging water distribution infrastructure.

This topic will provide you with useful information for dealing with an aging water infrastructure. The water problems in Flint, Michigan brought national attention to problems caused by aging water pipes. Agencies are discovering that water engineering design is a specialty field. Most civil engineers learn highway and traffic engineering as part of their undergraduate curriculum. Their water engineering education may be limited to culvert design and hydraulic modeling. In addition, they may not be familiar with the difficulties of locating, repairing, and maintaining underground utilities in a congested urban environment. This material tells you what you need to know to plan and execute a program to assess and address aging water distribution infrastructure. Topics covered include the national infrastructure picture, how to assess your aging water infrastructure accurately, and how to work most effectively with customers and contractors.