Staying Ahead of Ageing Infrastructure January 17, 2018
As many of you may know, the United States as a whole is encountering an aging infrastructure issue. In the 2002, the Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis, produced by the EPA, predicted that the percentage of U.S. wastewater pipes that will be in “poor,” “very poor,” or “life elapsed” (older than its predicted lifespan) condition would rise from 23% in 2000 to 43% in 2020.
The EPA also anticipated that the typical system could experience a very significant bump in the expenditures over a very short period to accommodate replacement of old pipes, new pipes, and plant structures in the same time frame. Knowing the parts of the system were reaching the end of their life expectancy, the City of Coos Bay, along with help from consultants and representatives from DEQ, created a 20-year takedown plan.
This plan was created in 2010-2011 after extensive research was gathered to categorize parts of the system with high, medium and low attention. In 2012 the first projects began. This past year alone the construction of 5 Sewer projects and 2 large storm projects, along with the ongoing construction of the new Wastewater Treatment Plant No.2 occurred. Currently, the City is working on planning and design of four stormwater projects and six sewer projects. Additionally, the City is in the preliminary planning process of the upgrades needed for Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 1.
It is important to recognize that this cycle of design and construction is continual. As with all things, sewer and storm pipe does have an anticipated life expectancy, estimated at of approximately 40-60 years. While the City cannot anticipate the emergency projects that may occur, there is a budget for the potential of urgent needs. The City of Coos Bay, along with many other cities across the United States, continue to work at address those projects that have been determined to have the highest need for replacement while continuing to plan for the future.
EPA. The Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis. Washington, DC: Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2002). Available: https://nepis.epa.gov/
