Wastewater collection system infrastructure research needs in the USA

Abstract

Many of the wastewater collection systems in the USA were developed in the early part of the last century. Maintenance, retrofits, and rehabilitations since then have resulted in patchwork systems consisting of technologies from different eras. More advanced and cost-effective methods to properly rehabilitate these systems must be considered to guarantee sustainability into the future. Achieving sustainable development presents a challenge to deliver new and innovative infrastructure and facilities needed to serve society while protecting the environment. In the context of this paper, sustainable development would provide new and improved solutions to existing and emerging problems associated with wastewater collection system infrastructure. Such solutions would, for example, include consideration of innovative approaches and practices for identifying and rehabilitating problems in existing systems and ways of preventing these problems in new construction. The paper focuses on technical issues and research needs in three major areas: (1) assessment of system integrity; (2) operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation; and (3) new construction. Many of the issues and needs discussed were identified at a USEPA sponsored experts workshop on infrastructure problems associated with wastewater collection systems.