Accomplishments

As the Aging Water Infrastructure (AWI) Research Program progresses, clear and concise project-performance indicators and programmatic measures will be developed and tracked in order to produce the desired outcomes. The benchmarks for accomplishments include a range of human health, environmental, cost, infrastructure performance, and customer service criteria. In addition, the utility of program products will be evaluated through interaction with stakeholders.

The AWI Research Program focus is on accomplishing:

• Reduced life-cycle costs for water infrastructure management
• Extended service life of existing infrastructure
• Reduced sewer overflows, backups, and failures
• Reduced infiltration, inflow, and peak wet-weather flows into treatment plants
• Reduced high-risk water main breaks
• Improved condition assessment and decision making capabilities
• Reduced potable water leakage and intrusion potential
• Increased use of performance and cost data for decision support, and the adoption of asset management
• Increased adoption of innovative technologies
  

The AWI program's high-priority research, demonstration, and technology transfer projects are designed to:

• Investigate the causes, mechanisms, and predictability of failure to enhance condition assessment capability
• Evaluate emerging and innovative technologies for pressure pipe rehabilitation and for inspection of wastewater collection systems
• Assess dual systems for potable and nonpotable uses
• Improve distribution system models
• Optimize closed-circuit television inspection data and information for effective condition assessment
• Develop and demonstrate innovative sewerage system designs for integrating into new urban areas, retrofitting existing urban areas, retrofitting existing combined sewer systems (CSS), creating upstream additions to existing CSS
• Create nitrogen control and phosphorus removal technology design manuals
• Develop water reuse applications of wastewater treatment technologies

Near-term outputs are state-of-the-technology reports on condition assessment (e.g., inspection technologies); rehabilitation of service laterals, liners, etc.; and failure forensics.

Long-term outputs are guidance documents on asset management, real-time monitoring, new materials; verification and demonstration reports; and sustainable management and design approaches.

Overall, AWI research will lead us toward a sustainable infrastructure—one that guarantees the least amount of stress on resources and the environment, is well developed and maintained, and contributes to a sustainable society as a whole.