Underground Infrastructure - March 2023 - 6

EDITOR'SLOG
Eyes Forward
Robert Carpenter | Editor-in-Chief
Recently, Underground Infr astructure
magazine published its 26th Annual
Municipal Sewer/Water Infr astructure
Forecast & Market Analysis. Hard to
believe I'm still authoring this research
aſt er all these years. Nonetheless, I still
fi nd the data both predictable and surprising
at the same time.
Th e information remains predictable because fi nances,
unfortunately, continues to be a constant for all cities.
Underfunding of our cities' sewer and water systems remains
the ultimate challenge even aſt er more than 100 years, or in
some cases, much longer. It seems like city leaders all the way
back to the 18th century believed that collection systems,
once installed, would function untouched by human hands
for countless decades. By the time neglect had hit critical
levels, it was somebody else's problem. Th e strategy, to some
degree or another, is still applied today.
Th e data remains surprising on a regular basis due to another
constant that is frequently ignored - the absolute necessity to
reinvest in sewer and water systems to maintain quality of life
for our citizens, yet an almost-complete absence of adequate
awareness or support. Fortunately, this year was diff erent.
Hygienic sciences advanced and booming populations exposed
inadequate and toxic sewer systems as the world grew
up. America, much like the rest of the world, discovered the
overwhelming need to maintain sewer collection systems and
treatment plants if cities were to grow and the populace was
going to advance out of third-world levels.
Drinking water took a major step forward in the mid-1890s,
when the value and eff ectiveness of chlorinating water to combat
typhoid and other diseases was documented. Th e fi rst use
of chlorine in the U.S. took place in 1908 in New Jersey. Still, as
the process spread rapidly across the country, the essential need
to maintain both sewer and potable water piping systems always
seems to take a back door to other public spending projects.
It has taken many years of hard work and lobbying by various
sewer and water organizations to draw att ention to this critical
issue for the health of a nation. It was unfortunate that the
Flint, Mich., lead pipe fi asco added deadly shock value to the
public awareness campaigns. Still, the crisis fi nally registered
with both the public and politicians. Th us, the Infrastructure
Bill was passed and added substantial dollars to the national
investment in sewer, water and stormwater infrastructure.
Billions were awarded and ceremoniously announced
through 2022 for many areas of the country. However, for
6 MARCH 2023 | UndergroundInfrastructure.com
many of those proposed projects, it has taken much of the past
year to launch, as adequate planning and suffi cient engineering
takes time.
Th e survey revealed that though money was in hand (for
a change), much of the work didn't actually begin until the
fourth quarter of 2022 and is now going strong in the fi rst
quarter of 2023.
One hiccup from the federal funding superstore, at least
for some of the small municipality respondents, is that it is
more diffi cult for them to navigate the paperwork and red
tape, and be viewed equally with large cities when it comes to
disbursing funds.
Complained one small city respondent for the Southeast,
" We don't have a large staff with a specialist in fi lling out government
application forms. Th e consulting engineers aren't as
interested in spending their time helping us get some of this
funding because our budgets will be lower. "
Still, the market and funding for sewer, water and stormwater
hasn't been this good in decades and should maintain this pace
at least through 2026. Now if we could just get more workers ...
UCT 2024
Th e Underground Construction Technology (UCT) Show
recently announced big news for 2024. Due to a variety of confl
icts, the show was able to move from its traditional January
date to March 19-21. Th at later date allows the show to partner
with a new, booming location in Oklahoma City.
If you haven't visited downtown OKC, you'll be shocked -
I was. Th e city opened a new convention center in late 2021,
struggling through COVID protocols and problems to completion.
At the exact same time, two new hotels, the Omni and
Marriott Fairfi eld Inn, were also under construction. Th ese hotels
are literally less than 50 yards from the convention center.
Construction of all these facilities at the same time would
task any city but when COVID, supply chains and worker
shortages were added to the mix, it made for a mighty eff ort.
Th e city pulled it off and now has a fi rst-class convention center/hotel
mix to match the many other amenities OKC has
been building for many years, all accessible by a continuously
running trolley: Bricktown, Automobile Alley, Scissortail Park,
Mid-Town and so much more.
Great facility, wonderful hotels, never a shortage of exciting
activities and the weather should be beautiful that time of
year. Details will follow, but suffi ce to say with the involvement
and support of leading organizations, UCT '24 will be one to
remember so mark your calendars for March 19-21, 2024. UI
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Underground Infrastructure - March 2023

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