Water scarcity is a pressing global issue, ringing alarm bells across the world. It’s a threat that impacts everything from our health to finances and even national security. It’s a challenge that knows no borders, affecting every part of the globe, including the United States, where 40 out of 50 states could face water shortages within the next year.
This looming crisis is largely fueled by aging infrastructure in our water systems. These outdated systems are like ticking time bombs, prone to leaks and breakdowns, which contribute significantly to water scarcity. A critical aspect of this problem is non-revenue water (NRW) – water lost due to leaks, theft, or metering inaccuracies before it reaches the consumer. It’s a startling fact that around 35% of all treated drinking water globally is lost as NRW each year, with the United States alone losing 6 billion gallons of treated drinking water daily due to leaks.
The financial impact of NRW is substantial. It places a heavy burden on communities, with U.S. municipalities and local water utilities losing an estimated $7.6 billion in NRW each year. These high operational costs can lead to increased water bills and hinder investments in infrastructure upgrades.
Traditionally, addressing NRW has involved manual and somewhat outdated methods. However, we’re now seeing a shift towards more innovative solutions. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and real-time sensing technologies is revolutionizing the way we detect and manage water leaks. These advanced technologies enable utilities to identify leaks quickly and efficiently, even in remote areas, preventing them from becoming larger problems.
Our collaboration with FIDO Tech exemplifies the potential of these technologies. By combining expert field teams, advanced sensors, and AI with an industry leading accuracy, we can detect, size, and locate leaks precisely and prioritize repairs effectively. This approach not only minimizes water loss but also reduces operational costs.
Beyond technology, government and community involvement are essential. Governments play a crucial role in encouraging investment in infrastructure upgrades and water loss audits. Community awareness and participation are also key in promoting sustainable water use and conservation efforts.
While water scarcity is a significant challenge, the combination of innovative technologies, policy reforms, and community engagement presents a viable solution. By addressing NRW effectively, we are taking essential steps towards a more sustainable future. Discover our innovative approach to tackling water scarcity and NRW in our comprehensive white paper, Water Scarcity and Water Loss: Innovative Transformational Technology to Address a Looming Global Crisis.
The first electrical system went up sometime in the early 1900s, with the focus on illuminating the insides of homes and replacing the dangerous gas streetlights prevalent at the time. Fast-forward to the digital millennium, our infrastructure is aging and it is our job to be aggressive in replacing it with options engineered and designed to stand the test of time. We rely more and more on technology – from the internet to medical systems, monitoring devices, even cars – resulting in increasing dependence on our electrical grid. The reliability of this grid is the key to our national security and everyday wellbeing.
In the face of potential disasters from fire, age failure, and even attacks on substations, it’s our job to keep them running and keep them safe. Reliability is the key word for our success in this endeavor: choosing preventative measures and products that will contribute to the protection over time of the grid is paramount.
Firewalls
Within an average substation, transformers – each containing thousands of gallons of oil – stand side-by-side. If one were to catch fire, it would most likely spread quickly to the others. This is where a good, solid firewall comes in. A quality firewall will not only stand between the transformers, but it will also enclose each firewall within a specified fire rating. These firewalls are available non-fire-rated, or with two- or four-hour fire ratings. Four-hour fire ratings are often chosen for rural areas when first responder response time might be longer than average, but the reality is, the four-hour rating option is the best choice. As a transformer burns, they emit ambient heat even with a firewall. A shorter fire rating means potentially greater heat on the other side. And the longer it burns, the more the transformer next door heats up. Given the utter devastation a fire can cause in a substation, why take chances with anything less than a firewall with a four-hour fire rating?
Security walls
Human impact on substations has been in the news with recent acts of vandalism and gun fire attacks. Properly chosen perimeter walls, taking into consideration line of sight, provide a necessary added layer of protection for substations and all that they contain.
Trenches to secure communication lines
Substations are filled with switches and transformers, all of which are now digitally managed. While power cables are up in the air, the substation control cables are housed in trenches in the ground. If cabling is disturbed, control of the substation will be lost. Some of these cables are upwards of 50 years old and have experienced the effects of weather, car impact, and even human impact. Without proper protection, these cables can fray and break, rendering them unusable.
One solution is a belowground, heavy-duty, high-load-resistant trench that safeguards the cabling, that is traffic-rated and improves greatly the reliability of the substation controls.
Creative, modular-based solutions
When trench replacement isn’t an option and protecting the integrity of the cables is top of mind, it’s time to look for an out-the-box solution. Picture a 50-year-old trench filled with old, brittle cables inside a failing concrete trench. How do we replace the trench to protect the cable without touching said cables? Modular enclosure products have been used creatively in such cases. No heavy equipment was needed for installation, a huge plus in the traditional space congestion found in your average substation.
As we work to maintain the electrical infrastructure, we should not be afraid to get creative in determining long-term solutions, staying focused on finding ways to accomplish the goal without causing planned or unplanned outages.
Products that securely protect the electrical grid are important now, and their importance will continue to grow over the coming decades. Now is the time to build the infrastructure for technology we don’t even know is coming.
In today’s rapidly changing world, the importance of a solid infrastructure cannot be overstated. Our daily lives rely on the intricate web of roads, power systems, and electric vehicle charging stations that form the backbone of our society. This critical infrastructure received a monumental boost with the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), injecting an astonishing $1.2 trillion into the sector. But here’s the catch: accessing these funds is no easy task.
The administration of the IIJA spans multiple federal agencies, each managing specific programs for various project types and markets. It’s like putting together an enormous jigsaw puzzle, with countless pieces that must fit perfectly to achieve the desired results.
One of the most promising sectors under the IIJA is transportation, with a focus on revitalizing highways and accommodating the growing number of electric vehicles. Innovative solutions like flexible electric vehicle charging infrastructure are already in development, and understanding IIJA grants dedicated to EV infrastructure can bring stakeholders closer to a share of the available $7.5 billion in funding.
Our commitment extends beyond knowledge and expertise; it reaches into mastering the IIJA and other federal funding programs. We believe in the power of trusted partnerships and solid foundations. Together, with our expertise, decades of industry experience, and a national reach, we aim to be your dedicated partner in rebuilding and enhancing our nation’s transportation infrastructure, creating a brighter future for all.
Are you ready to unlock the potential of federal infrastructure funding and embark on this transformative journey? Join us as we pave the way to a better tomorrow, one that is built on a robust and forward-looking infrastructure. For more information, you can read my full article in the latest edition of Engineering News-Record (ENR), and find resources for IIJA on the Federally Funded Infrastructure Solutions Center.
Water, our most precious resource, is the lifeblood of our society. It’s the driving force behind our progress and the foundation of our future success. As someone deeply committed to the field of stormwater management, I understand that the key to that success lies in the way we manage our water systems. More specifically, it hinges on the regular maintenance of our stormwater management infrastructure.
I’ve dedicated my career to this cause, and I can’t stress enough how vital it is to recognize the significance of maintenance in our journey towards a sustainable and thriving future. The impact it has on system performance, longevity, and compliance with regulations is critical.
You see, stormwater management is not just about designing state-of-the-art systems and installing them. It’s about ensuring these systems continue to function as intended. It’s about preserving the delicate balance of our environment and safeguarding our communities against the devastating consequences of neglected stormwater infrastructure.
We need to mimic the natural water cycle in our stormwater design, particularly as our cities and built environments expand. As urbanization encroaches upon nature, we inadvertently disrupt the natural flow of stormwater. To compensate, we must develop systems that replicate the natural cycle. However, for this cycle to be effective, maintenance is non-negotiable.
In my role as the Managing Director of Maintenance and Services at Oldcastle Infrastructure, I’ve witnessed a concerning trend. Many stakeholders invest significant amounts in stormwater products and infrastructure, but often, there’s insufficient focus on the maintenance of these assets. It’s a simple truth: within a relatively short time frame—ranging from a few months to just a few years—products that aren’t properly maintained become clogged with sediment and cease to function, and the repair costs can be exorbitant.
But the importance of maintenance goes beyond preventing system failures. It’s also about protecting our environment from the consequences of inadequate stormwater management. Stormwater runoff, laden with pollutants like Total Suspended Solids (TSS), trash, oils, nutrients, heavy metals, bacteria, and more must be properly treated and filtered to safeguard our water bodies.
This is where various best management practices (BMPs), such as infiltration, filtration, low impact developments (LID), and green infrastructure, come into play. However, all these BMPs require ongoing maintenance to ensure they continue to remove pollutants effectively.
The climate crisis further complicates the situation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns us that climate change will lead to more frequent and intense storms across the United States. And if our stormwater systems aren’t correctly maintained, these intense storms can wreak havoc, leading to flooding and other devastating impacts.
Effective stormwater runoff management offers five crucial environmental benefits, including the protection of wetlands, improved water quality, water conservation, public health, and flood control.
Stormwater management is also subject to federal regulations through the EPA, with states adopting their own programs to meet these standards. And let’s not forget, the responsibility for maintaining these systems largely falls on the owner’s shoulders. It’s a responsibility that isn’t always easy to shoulder, as many owners are unaware of the specific stormwater products and infrastructure on their properties.
In some cases, it’s a matter of educating the owners about their systems and how to properly maintain them. In others, owners may be aware of their systems but may entrust maintenance to individuals who lack a comprehensive understanding of these complex stormwater solutions.
In essence, stormwater management maintenance is akin to caring for your car. You can’t simply wash the exterior and ignore the engine’s needs. Neglecting the maintenance of stormwater infrastructure can lead to costly consequences, both financially and environmentally.
That’s why, at Oldcastle Infrastructure, we’re committed to providing not just stormwater products and solutions but also maintenance programs specifically designed to adapt to ever-changing regulations. We understand that by prioritizing maintenance, we’re not only preserving our environment and protecting public health but also securing our collective future success.
Download Craig’s white paper on Maintenance Solutions for Optimal Stormwater Management here.
Chances are you’ve heard about the ANSI/SCTE load ratings in the underground enclosures industry, but how much do you really know about the history of the specification and why it’s a necessary detail to not overlook?
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers) partnered in 2002 to create ANSI/SCTE 77, a performance specification to ensure the structural integrity of underground enclosures; the specification was most recently updated in 2017. In greater detail, the specification was created by both organizations to rate performance for handholes used in non-deliberate traffic applications. Performance ratings are broken into tiers, or performance levels, based on the exact job needed by the customer.
Why are load ratings needed? Primarily to rate the performance of an underground enclosure in order to meet the needs of a specific project.
Underground enclosures can be used to perform multiple jobs and functions on a jobsite; a high tier-rated box might not be needed for a simple project like protecting water infrastructure on a soccer field.
Tiers of load ratings are basic ways to say exposure: how much load – how heavy something can be – needs to be planned for, based on the project. Basic tiers are listed below, along with examples for each:
- Light duty: pedestrian traffic only
- Tier 5 & Tier 8: sidewalk applications, with a safety factor for occasional non-deliberate vehicular traffic Tier 15: driveway, parking lot, and off-roadway applications subject to occasional non-deliberate heavy vehicular traffic (standard passenger vehicles)
- Tier 22: driveway, parking lot, and off-roadway applications subject to occasional non-deliberate heavy vehicular traffic (Trucks and larger vehicles)
- AASHTO H-20 (deliberate traffic, different specifications): deliberate vehicular traffic applications
In the testing process of each tier of load rating, a metal plate that simulates the surface area of a tire is used in a three-part testing procedure. These three steps are the lateral sidewall load test, the vertical sidewall load test, and the cover vertical load test. A total of 10 testing cycles are completed, with the 11th cycle taken to failure. The three-point test is representative of a vehicle approaching and driving over a box. First, as the vehicle approaches the box, the ground shifts and applies a lateral force to the sidewall of the box.
Next, the vehicle begins to pass over the box, which applies a vertical load to the sidewall of the product. When the vehicle passes over the center of the box, the vertical load shifts to the center of the cover.
Products must meet the required load rating for each of the three tests, plus a safety factor, while staying within a maximum vertical and lateral deflection limit.
An enclosure may bear the required load to pass a specific load rating, but it can still fail if the deflection limit is exceeded. Think of it like a surprise pothole: if a car drives over the box, and the cover bows in, this causes a safety concern despite the box bearing the weight of the vehicle. While companies can list tiers on their enclosures as long as one series of tests have been completed, it’s important to follow up with continuous testing for a true measure of safety.
When determining what product performance rating is needed for a specific application, contractors should consider if the enclosure is going to be used in a deliberate or non-deliberate traffic/pedestrian traffic location. (To qualify: deliberate traffic equates to the middle of the roadway with vehicular traffic passing over the handhole regularly; non-deliberate traffic translates to sidewalk applications (a car might drive over it, but it’s not the travel way).
Several other areas of testing exist within ANSI/SCTE 77, and they involve multiple topics of consideration: chemical resistance testing (salt on roads mixes with road fluids, creating multiple chemical compounds to be aware of); sunlight/UV testing (if the handhole is outside, performance needs to be verified after continuous exposure); water absorption (tests the strength of the enclosure after exposure to moisture); flammability (wherein the enclosure is buried with hay packed on top, which is then set aflame); impact testing; and friction testing (ensuring ADA compliance in that no one will slip on the enclosure).
Conclusion: When choosing enclosure products, research the options and choose products that not only meet, but exceed, the standard and specifications put forth by ANSI/SCTE 77. Selecting the right product with the appropriate performance for your specific application ensures that the installation will perform as expected down the road.
Have you ever considered the potential hazards of standing water on airport runways? It may seem innocuous, but it’s a risk that can’t be underestimated. Airports boast vast, flat expanses, and when rainwater accumulates, it forms standing pools that attract birds and wildlife, creating a perilous situation for both aircraft and the environment.
Here’s a sobering fact: The Federal Aviation Administration records an average of 47 aircraft strikes every day, and a significant 97% of these involve bird strikes, often occurring during takeoffs and landings—precisely where these runway ponds tend to develop. These collisions have resulted in tragic consequences, including over 300 fatalities and nearly 300 aircraft losses worldwide between 1988 and 2021.
This is the exact challenge that the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) in Oregon faced. The airport needed to construct a secondary runway to accommodate future growth, but it wasn’t just about expansion. They required an innovative stormwater solution that would ensure long-term sustainability, comply with environmental regulations, and minimize their environmental footprint.
Introducing the Boxless BioPod™ Biofiltration System with StormMix™ Media from Oldcastle Infrastructure—a cutting-edge green infrastructure solution. This system not only effectively removed pollutants but also reduced maintenance costs and demonstrated the airport’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. It’s a win-win-win-win scenario—benefiting aircraft, passengers, wildlife, and the environment.
In a recent article featured in The APWA Reporter, we delve into how this innovative solution met the airport’s challenges and created a safer, more sustainable environment for aviation.
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Looking for the right BioPod™ solution for your project? Our Selection Tool simplifies the process of identifying the ideal system that aligns with your site’s unique biofiltration needs. By utilizing site-specific information, this tool guides you through the selection process and offers comprehensive product details upon its conclusion.
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In our modern world, data is as valuable as gold, shaping industries, innovation, and our interconnected lives. Think of data centers as the mighty fortresses where this invaluable resource is stored and managed.
Within the sprawling campuses of hyperscale and co-location data centers, a transformation is unfolding. Join us as we explore how these data centers are changing the United States’ digital landscape, as companies engage in a relentless race to construct colossal data campuses to meet the ever-growing demand.
The Need for Speed in Data Center Construction
Ben Gehrts, Commercial Director for the Central US at Oldcastle Infrastructure, perfectly sums up the phenomenon: “It’s like an ongoing race for storage.”
To put this race in perspective, Gehrts takes us behind the scenes:
“Imagine working with just 30-40% of the project’s details in hand. We must be readily available and understand the urgency required to complete the work. The project’s schedule plays a pivotal role.” Speed is the essence of this digital race, and Karen Brock, Oldcastle’s Commercial Director for the Northeastern market, highlights the pressure on contractors, noting that “the return on investment doesn’t materialize until the facility is fully operational.”
Oldcastle Infrastructure’s Vital Role in Data Center Evolution
Oldcastle Infrastructure takes center stage in this dynamic environment.
Gehrts proudly states, “In the realm of underground infrastructure, we excel in managing projects.” We bring our expertise to various aspects, including stormwater management, sanitary systems, cable management, and the creation of impressive vaults, some as large as 10 feet by 20 feet.
We also offer maintenance solutions when the need arises.
Statista, the global provider of business and consumer information, predicts that revenue from the data center market will exceed $342 billion in 2023, with an annual growth rate of 4.66%. By 2027, the market is projected to reach a staggering $410 billion. This growth is visible in the proliferation of data centers across the nation. “Think of the cloud as a vast farm field in Iowa,” Gehrts suggests, underscoring the far-reaching impact of this market. Karen Brock adds, “Witnessing a site evolve into a complete data center campus is truly remarkable.”
Navigating the Challenges of Data Center Infrastructure
While constructing infrastructure for data systems, meticulous attention to detail is crucial. Brock explains, “What’s most intriguing is the heightened focus on data security and the need for customized accessories. For instance, every vault we produce is assigned a unique serial number for tracking, ensuring it is watertight, and often requiring specialized hardware for secure access.”
Moreover, Gehrts emphasizes the importance of serving both the general contractor and the owner, stating, “We provide certainty. Drawing from our wealth of experience, we refine and enhance our designs based on lessons learned from previous projects, ensuring success for the next client.”
In this ongoing quest for storage, data centers stand as pioneers, where technology giants, corporations, and our interconnected world unite to secure the future of data. The journey is well underway, and Oldcastle Infrastructure leads the way, dedicated to ensuring that the information highway remains robust and secure as we continue to navigate the digital age.
Embark on a journey to enhance your AEC career with Oldcastle Infrastructure and Informed Infrastructure. Our AIA-approved sponsored courses, covering green infrastructure, drywells, and stormwater maintenance, provide the key to professional growth and regulatory compliance. Whether you’re an aspiring architect, engineer, or construction professional, our courses cater to a diverse audience.
Green Infrastructure Mimics the Natural Water Cycle
Explore the innovative realm of green infrastructure (GI), designed to replicate the natural water cycle during stormwater events. Traditional land development directs rainwater runoff away from the site, while undeveloped land allows natural processes like infiltration to occur. Green infrastructure introduces decentralized Best Management Practices (BMPs) to facilitate stormwater treatment by diverting rainwater into the subsoil.
Our course delves deep into this groundbreaking approach, helping you understand its significance and principles.
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Drywells Address Both Flood and Drought Stormwater Mitigation Challenges
Discover the solutions to urban flooding and drought challenges with underground infiltration galleries and drywells. These systems reduce runoff and restore natural hydrology by promoting infiltration and groundwater recharge. To meet regulatory requirements, they align with programs like the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
Our course equips you with the knowledge and skills to implement these systems effectively.
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Stormwater Maintenance: Legal Compliance and Environmental Benefits
Learn to manage stormwater effectively, ensuring it functions correctly, controls flooding, improves water quality, enhances public safety, and meets regulatory standards.
Our course covers a wide range of stormwater systems and emphasizes the importance of compliance with legal standards while highlighting the benefits of effective maintenance.
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In partnership with Informed Infrastructure, Oldcastle Infrastructure is proud to sponsor AIA-approved courses that empower you with essential knowledge and the ability to embrace innovative solutions. By exploring green infrastructure, drywells, and stormwater maintenance, you can elevate your career, meet regulatory standards, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient environment.
