Synthesis-Analysis of Water and Wastewater Pipeline Condition Assessment and Renewal Engineering Technologies

WATERiD (Water Infrastructure Database) is an online database created primarily for the use of utility managers and municipality decision makers that struggle with obtaining easy access to comprehensive information about available pipeline condition assessment and renewal technologies and the experiences of other utilities in dealing with needs created by aging infrastructure. Population of WATERiD included an extensive literature review, interviews with technology vendors, and production of case studies based on interviews with over 100 experienced national and international utilities. This information was combined to develop synthesis reports on the status of pipeline condition assessment and renewal technologies in the United States. The synthesis reports effectively describe the available water and wastewater pipeline condition assessment technologies, discuss usage trends for utilities in the United States, and evaluate the gaps in technological needs and provide recommendations for the direction of future research. The synthesis reports also recommend standard data reporting parameters for pipeline condition assessment and renewal projects. By basing this work not only on literature and vendor information, but also on case studies of actual technology implementation by utilities with various characteristics, greater understanding of the nation's needs are promoted. The availability of WATERiD and the synthesis reports will foster sound decisions regarding pipeline condition assessment and renewal and will expedite the use of innovative technologies and the communication between utilities. The synthesis reports will also encourage the sharing of utility project data in standard formats for further analysis and understanding. This work will result in improved public, environmental, and economic health while making it possible for municipalities to practice greater compliance with statutes, regulations, and EPA requirements.