www.epa.gov
science BRIEF
BUILDING A SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION FOR SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS
National Risk Management
Research Laboratory
www.epa.gov/nrmrl/
Aging Water Infrastructure Research Program
Addressing the Challenge Through Innovation
Advanced Concepts
"Our nation's extensive water
infrastructure has the capacity to
treat, store, and transport trillions
of gallons of water and wastewater
per day through millions of miles
of pipelines. However, as our
infrastructure deteriorates, there
are increasing concerns about
the ability of this infrastructure
to keep up with our future needs."
George Gray, Ph.D.
Assistant Administrator for
Research and Development
United States Environmental
Protection Agency
EPA has begun a new research program
intended to generate the science and
engineering that will address our aging
water infrastructure. The program,
entitled "Innovation and Research for
Water Infrastructure for the 21st Century,"
calls for research relating to condition
assessment, system rehabilitation, and
advanced concepts.
Research on advanced concepts will
evaluate and demonstrate the application
of innovative infrastructure designs,
management procedures, and operational
approaches. Advanced concepts go
beyond simple asset management. The
infusion of these advanced concepts into
established wastewater collection systems
is especially challenging.
Current Issues
There are several issues related to the
adoption of advanced concepts:
• Existing collection systems, many of
which were designed and constructed
when performance expectations
and technical knowledge were less
advanced, must now perform to
today's standards.
• Broad goals, such as sustainability,
are not being achieved by current
design practices.
• Proper transport of solids in sewers is
still not well understood; the transport
of solids can cause clogs, overflows,
and surcharges.
• There are limited performance
data, which leads to engineering
conservatism.
• It is difficult to retrofit old systems
using new design technology.
State of the Technology
Collection system technology in the
U.S. represents a combination of separate
sanitary sewers, combined and separate
storm sewers, and associated components
(such as manholes and pump stations).
In some cases, sections of our collection
system infrastructure are over 100 years
old. But as our urban fringe expands with
increased development, new collection
systems are being added.
For the most part, current design
practices are not markedly different
from those applied 30 years ago.
However, older systems, which
were designed and constructed when
performance expectations and technical
knowledge were less advanced, are
now being challenged to meet evolving
regulations and the needs of ever-
increasing populations.
As our collection systems age, utility
managers and system designers must
look to advanced concepts and approaches
for new and expanding systems, and for
retrofitting our existing collection system
infrastructure.
Successfully blending these advanced
concepts with an established wastewater
collection system is challenging.
Innovative concepts can evolve in
existing systems through system retrofit
opportunities, but compatibility with the
in-place system is critical. As existing
systems expand with new development,
opportunities for the application of
advanced concepts grow to include
maximizing the benefits from green
infrastructure, low-impact development,
water reuse, source water protection,
and watershed management.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory
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Research in advanced concepts
includes investigation, evaluation,
and demonstration of:
• Innovative collection and
conveyance designs
• Advanced system configurations
and relationships
• System and watershed/sewershed
management strategies
• Source control and innovative
recycling and reuse practices
• Advanced concept integration into
expanding and existing systems
New Research
Beginning in fiscal year 2007, EPA's new
research program will initiate projects
that address advanced concepts in the
following areas:
• Assess State of the Technology
- Convene technology forum
- Document case histories
• Develop Innovative Design
- Large-diameter and steep sewers
- Sewer sediment traps
- High-capacity wastewater treatment
plants for wet-weather flow
- Innovative systems guidance
• Initiate Field Demonstrations
- Green solutions for wet-weather
flow control
- Storm water and wastewater
beneficial use
- Innovative sanitary sewer design
The Door Is Open for
Collaboration
EPA, whose primary role is that
of advocate for a sustainable water
infrastructure, is only one partner
in this effort. The Aging Water
Infrastructure research program
presents opportunities for utilities,
vendors, researchers, academics, water
associations (trade and professional),
and other agencies and organizations
to collaborate. In fact, the success of
the program depends on stakeholder
involvement, sharing information and
tools, and working together toward the
long-term stewardship of our water
infrastructure.
CONTACT
Daniel J. Murray, Jr., P.E.,
Senior Environmental Engineer
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
(513)569-7522
murray. dan(g!epa. gov
REFERENCES
Sustainable Infrastructure for Water and Wastewater
http://www.epa.gov/waterinfrastructure/index.html
U.S. EPA. (2007). "Innovation and Research for
Water Infrastructure for the 21st Century, Research
Plan." April 30.
U.S. EPA. (2007). Statement of George Gray,
Ph.D., Assistant Administrator for Research and
Development and EPA Science Advisor, before
the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment,
Committee on Science and Technology, United States
House of Representatives. March 14.
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with vegetable-based ink on
paper that contains a minimum of
50% post-consumer fiber content
processed chlorine free
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory
EPA/600/F-07/013
September 2007
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