A New Approach To Infrastructure Resiliency

Recent extreme weather and seismic events have exposed the vulnerabilities of aging water systems, pushing distribution networks far beyond their intended limits. For many utilities, the path to resiliency is hindered by "analysis paralysis"—the difficulty of vetting new technologies without the resources for large-scale validation. To bridge this gap, a new collaborative model is emerging that connects municipal utilities, academic researchers, and manufacturers to solve high-stakes engineering challenges.

By leveraging specialized testing facilities and real-world problem statements, these partnerships are accelerating the development of critical infrastructure, such as large-diameter seismic-resistant piping. This data-driven approach moves beyond theoretical design, providing utilities with the objective performance metrics needed to update specifications and implement smarter, more durable solutions. Discover how this integrated research ecosystem is shortening innovation timelines and creating a scalable blueprint for long-term community resilience.