New Approaches To "Old" Water Issues

By Kevin Westerling,
@KevinOnWater

A look at the latest thinking on some longstanding but still very relevant concerns — replacing water pipelines and workers.

Ever thought times are tough… then they get even worse, and you yearn for the regular ol’ tough times?

I’ve been covering the water industry long enough to remember when our two biggest challenges were merely products of time — aging pipelines and an aging workforce. Since then, we’ve had the Flint water crisis that uncovered long-standing, underlying lead contamination; per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) discovery, starting with “hot spots” before expanding virtually everywhere; and the steady drumbeat of changing climate patterns that have worsened storms and droughts, with direct effect on water and wastewater operations.

Then came the (necessary) regulatory response, particularly Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (to be followed by Lead and Copper Rule Improvements) and National Primary Drinking Water Regulation of PFAS, demanding prompt industry attention. With regard to climate impacts and resiliency, municipalities have the pressure of dealing with current problems — scarcity, flooding, wildfires — while preparing for the next emergency.

With these challenging, pressing, and expensive requirements taking center stage, water and wastewater professionals might miss the days of mostly worrying about replacing pipes and people. However, these issues still exist, and they are no less important now than they were then — just overshadowed. Let’s harken back to somewhat simpler times, while also looking forward, by providing some new thinking and solutions around these problems of “old” (with a tip of the cap for their years of great service).

The aging infrastructure and workforce issues coalesce in terms of advancements for pipeline renewal, as staff shortages demand more efficient processes. Rather than reliance on the woefully inefficient “chase and replace” approach, advanced pipeline inspection and assessment technologies have gained in popularity. These include:

• CCTV and 3D laser scanning, providing high-definition video and precise measurements inside pipelines, enabling detailed assessment of conditions.
• Acoustic leak detection, using sound waves to identify leaks in pressurized pipelines, allowing for early detection and repairs.
• SmartBall® technology, utilizing a free-floating device equipped with sensors that travel through pipelines to detect leaks and other anomalies.
• GIS and asset management systems, integrating pipeline data with GIS to map and manage pipeline networks efficiently.
• Predictive analytics, using historical data and machine learning models to predict the likelihood of pipeline failure and prioritize maintenance efforts accordingly.

Replacing the retiring water workforce with the next generation is a less tech-oriented endeavor, but technology is still very much part of the story. Incoming operators and engineers are digital natives, meaning they grew up in the age of smartphones. They “speak” tech, and thus are comfortable with and therefore encourage the implementation of more digital technologies as they become the new workforce.

The real challenge is locating labor prospects and energizing them for a career in water. Here are some recent and effective initiatives:

• School partnerships: Collaborating with high schools, vocational schools, and colleges to introduce students to careers in the industry. This includes offering curriculum support, guest lectures, and field trips to water treatment facilities.
• STEM initiatives: Promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs to highlight the technical aspects of water industry careers. This helps attract students with an interest in these fields.
• Water career fairs: Hosting or participating in job fairs focused on water and environmental careers, providing students and job seekers with information about opportunities in the industry.

So, while you worry and work to surmount the water and wastewater concerns that seem to mount by the day, consider the techniques and tactics above to help you stay on top of those old issues that never went away. And then page through the latest edition of Water Innovations for more technology and strategy guidance on a variety of other industry topics.