Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have been developing new ways to approach water infrastructure design in light of climate change uncertainty. To explain their concept, they use the city of Mombasa, Kenya, as an example. Mombasa is contemplating erecting a new dam to increase water supply capacity for its projected population growth. The city has two options: … [Read more...]
Future Demand Management of Levees in the American Midwest
In March 2019, flooding along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers has left the levee system damaged beyond the point of repair for many farmers in Midwestern states. Many residents consider relocation to be the only valid option as water levels are rising every time the rivers flood. The American Society of Civil Engineers has given the country's levee system a D grade, meaning significant … [Read more...]
Are Microgrids Needed for a Resilient Texas’ Energy Infrastructure?
Freezing temperatures in Texas in February 2021 caused its power grid to fail dramatically. Millions of Texans were without power amid freezing temperatures. A combination of factors caused the energy grid to collapse. First, Texas, energy infrastructure is not “winterized” because of the states humid climate and mild winters. The extreme cold is a very unusual event for the state and … [Read more...]
Applying Infrastructure Asset Management Practice to Shun “Day Zero”
Cape Town, South Africa is facing a very dire situation due to a three-year-long mega-drought. By May, the city was expecting to have to turn off its water supply and hand out a meager 25 liters per day to its citizens, who will have to make their way through long and potentially dangerous crowds to one of 200 distribution points throughout the city. The shut-off day - known as "Day Zero" - … [Read more...]
Canadian Study on Stormwater Infrastructure – Infrastructure Management
Recently the Sustainable Prosperity, an environmental think tank based at the University of Ottowa, conducted a study, aptly labeled "New Solutions for Sustainable Stormwater Management in Canada." The study reviews the current state of stormwater management in Canada and the two most regularly employed tools: green infrastructure and Stormwater user fees. It goes into great depth exploring … [Read more...]
Infrastructure Asset Management Impacts of the Electronic Vehicle Disruption
Tony Seba has published an updated lecture: The Electric Vehicle Disruption - End of Oil 2030 Having attended a lecture by Tony Seba two years ago, I have found his analysis coherent, well-researched, and well worth taking note of. If you are involved in transportation infrastructure management, or you own an internal combustion engine vehicle, then this presentation is well worth your … [Read more...]
1.1 Billion People More in 2030 – Are We Planning Globally to Meet the World’s Population Growth and Challenges?
By 2030, scientists predict that another 1.1 billion people will be inhabiting planet earth, bringing the world's total population count to a number just shy of 9 billion. Most of them will be born in densely populated urban areas in Asia and Africa - areas that cannot sustain such immense population growth. A group of experts at nature.com have several interesting ideas about how this issue … [Read more...]
21st Century Approach to Water Utility Resilience
For those investing in water infrastructure and water solutions, there is a concept that must be grasped: water will always win against human control. It is possible to think outside the box and not trying to stop or change the naturally occurring patterns in waterways or geographically wet areas, instead to build resiliency and go with the changing tides. For design technology and … [Read more...]
Will I Buy a Tesla Model 3 and Why Does It Matter to Infrastructure Asset Management?
A few days ago the American electric car maker Tesla announced details of its Model 3 car, priced from USD $35,000. The Model 3 will also be available in some more countries, including New Zealand where I live. Seating 5 adults, and with a range of 215 miles (346 km) per charge the Model 3 is potentially a breakthrough vehicle for electric vehicles (EV's) The projected release of the Tesla … [Read more...]
MN Petitions “WOTUS” – Infrastructure Management Plan Implications
At the end of May 2015, the much-anticipated final rule on "Definition of Waters in the U.S." ("WOTUS") as an amendment to the Clean Water Act, was published by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While everyone greatly appreciates the effort made with this document, many U.S. county governments are disappointed by the result. Minnesota was one of many States worried that the … [Read more...]
Is it Time to Stop Growing Cotton in the Arizona Desert?
In the middle of the dry, Sonoran Desert of Arizona, the Wuertz family (and several others) have been farming cotton for generations. This was once considered an exciting accomplishment, but now it weighs on their consciences, as this now unneeded crop siphons so much of Arizona's limited water supply. The farmers understand that they could plant many other, less-water-consuming crops, but … [Read more...]
Infrastructure Asset Management – Hawaii Engineers’ Path to Resiliency
A dedicated group of local engineers from Honolulu, Hawaii have recently been exploring how possible climate change, particularly sea-level rise, could adversely affect their wastewater infrastructure. Timothy Steinberger, the former director of Honolulu's Department of Environmental Services, comments: "I can't tell you how many ulcers I get in a matter of hours when there's a possibility I … [Read more...]
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