Most people working in the municipal sewer and water field have dealt with the problems associated with aging infrastructure. In many older cities, it’s not at all uncommon for pipes laid a hundred years ago to still be delivering water and collecting wastewater. The amazing thing is that these pipes have survived when some newer pipe technologies have failed in less than half that length of time.

The City of Baltimore, Md., profiled in this issue of MSW, is a great example. Baltimore’s Bureau of Water and Wastewater operates a 1,583-mile network of water mains. Nearly 900 miles in the system — more than half of the water mains — are more than 80 years old and water is still flowing through almost 55 miles of mains that were built prior to 1900.

Infrastructure of that age presents its share of problems, but it’s not Baltimore’s biggest problem. The bureau’s Southwest Transmission Main is one of several key conduits in its distribution system that were installed in the mid-1970s and constructed with troublesome Class IV PCCP pipes that have been prone to early failure due to breaks in the prestressed wires embedded in the outer layer of the pipe.

To combat the problem, the bureau has implemented an inspection and warning system to alert operators of changing conditions within the pipes, so issues can be addressed before catastrophic failures make the situation far worse. The proactive approach is a significant expense, but it saves a lot of headaches for the bureau and local residents. And proactive maintenance and repair is always a better solution than handling problems on an emergency basis.

Most municipalities are dealing with these types of problems, if not with prestressed concrete pipe, then with something else — root intrusion in failing joints, corrosion in cast iron or a myriad of other issues common to wastewater systems. The stories fill these pages every month, but more important are the successes we highlight every month, providing greater insight on the potential solutions for the problems in your system.

An old problem

Dealing with distribution and collection system problems is nothing new, as you all know. It’s been going on since the advent of sewer systems. A blog on The New York Times website chronicled the history of some of Manhattan’s early wooden water pipes, which were recently pulled from the ground, still intact with the original wrought iron connectors that held sections of the hollowed-out pine logs together.

The wooden pipes, which were susceptible to leaks, low pressure and invading roots, were still being installed even as other contractors and municipalities moved to cast iron. So the city dealt with the problems inherent in these pipes until eventually they were all taken out of service.

While you may never pull a wooden pipe from below your city streets, you’ll all deal with failing pipe and the need to improve your systems. It’s part of the job, along with finding the solutions that best fit your customers’ needs. I hope this publication can help you in those endeavors.

Enjoy this month’s issue.

Comments on this column or about any article in this publication may be directed to editor Luke Laggis, 800/257-7222; editor@mswmag.com.