Through the Pipes: Advancing America’s Infrastructure

The water pipe is one of history’s oldest inventions, with some of the earliest designs dating back to 4,000 BCE. Despite its omnipresence in our society, finding a sustainable design is now more important than ever. The United States is home to over 2.2 million miles of water pipe, a piece of our infrastructure that is in need of an overhaul. With a water main break every two minutes, the need for improvement is urgent.

The water pipe is very versatile as it can be made from steel, concrete, iron, and now even fiberglass. However, each of these materials has a different longevity and different properties that can make them difficult to maintain. It is for this reason that as of February of 2024, the Federal Government has announced $5.8 billion funding for updating municipal water infrastructure. This budget increase will help to keep the water pipe evolving and improving. Wasted water and aging infrastructure are the main reasons behind this need for an update. 

Making these changes will save time, money, and precious resources that are vital to the success of cities and towns across the country. With sustainability at the forefront of innovation, the future is sure to be bright for one of America’s most important systems.

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