America’s infrastructure is in need of an overhaul. We are currently 50 years into infrastructure that was only designed to last for 75 years, and the consequences of these weaknesses can be costly. It is important to understand the different parts of our infrastructure in order to push forward sustainable advancement. The Water pipe is a small but vital part to these systems that have been in place for thousands of years.
Humans have been building pipes since 4,000 BCE. What started as clay and wood pipes has evolved over time into the more modern steel, concrete, iron, and fiberglass pipes that we see today. Although these models are a sure improvement from the original design, there is still a water main break every two minutes in the United States. It is for this reason that U.S. communities are pledging to invest nearly $8.5 billion into replacing and rehabilitating drinking water pipe networks in 2024.
The Federal Government has also since announced that they will be dedicating nearly $6 billion to funding the update of municipal water infrastructure. This urgency is due to how costly the shortcomings of the current infrastructure are. Aside from how outdated and expired the current piping is, the U.S. loses 6 billion gallons of treated water per day. This is enough to fill over 9,000 swimming pools and clearly demonstrates a need for change.
With sustainability at the forefront of innovation, the future is bright for United States infrastructure. New, safe, and reliable piping will pave the way for the water infrastructure of the future.
