The aging condition of our cities and deterioration of infrastructure includes water distribution and sewerage systems. It has been estimated that as much as an additional $23 billion/year for the next 20 years are required to keep the U.S. water and wastewater infrastructure functional and in compliance with applicable water quality regulations. This infrastructure funding gap provides an important research area addressing economic and efficient repair and maintenance of the water and wastewater infrastructure. For more information on EPA’s water infrastructure program, visit http://www.epa.gov/waterinfrastructure/. Areas of needed research and interest include, but are not limited to:

• More effective and less expensive technologies are needed to detect leaks, forecast structural failures, and repair/rehabilitate sewers and water distribution systems. Technologies for effective and economical detection, location, reporting, and analysis of critical defects, deterioration and failures in drinking water distribution and wastewater collection systems that are not adequately addressed by current approaches (e.g., closed-circuit TV, visual observation, and other in-line methods).
• Technologies that significantly increase the life expectancy of wastewater treatment systems, collection or distribution systems or water monitoring equipment. New technologies to more effectively construct, maintain, and repair new and existing urban wastewater collection and water distribution infrastructure at an acceptable cost.
• Technologies aimed at reducing energy requirements, better managing energy use and the cost-effective production and recovery of renewable energy (green power) by wastewater treatment facilities.
• New non-leachable/inert pipe materials and relining techniques and innovative materials for water distribution systems that improve performance and life-cycle cost. Improved construction, cleaning, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement techniques and technologies to substantially reduce life cycle cost and failure rates of distribution and collection system pipes and other components (e.g., manholes).