Water Infrastructure for the 21st Century: U.S. EPA's Research Plans for Gravity Sewers

Beginning in 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) is planning to support a new research program to generate the science and engineering to improve and evaluate promising innovative technologies and techniques to reduce the cost and improve the effectiveness of operation, maintenance, and replacement of aging and failing drinking water and wastewater treatment and conveyance systems. This research program directly supports the Agency's Sustainable Water Infrastructure Initiative. This paper will outline the plans for addressing condition assessment and rehabilitation needs for gravity sewer pipes in the U.S. In 2002, the EPA's Office of Water (OW) carried out a study to gain a better understanding of the challenges facing the Nation's drinking water and wastewater utilities. EPA published The Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis (EPA-816-R-02-020), also known as the "Gap Analysis" report. The report identified several issues that raised concern as to the ability of utilities to keep up with their infrastructure needs in the future: 1) Our wastewater and drinking water systems are aging, with some system components exceeding 100 years in age; 2) The U.S. population is increasing and shifting geographically. This requires investment for new infrastructure in growth areas and "strands" existing infrastructure in areas of decreasing population; 3) Current treatment may not be sufficient to address emerging issues and potentially stronger regulatory requirements; and 4) Investment in research and development has declined. This paper addresses two major research areas identified as critical by EPA; condition assessment and system rehabilitation.