Addressing Aging Water Infrastructure: Condition Assessment and Risk Mitigation of Cast Iron and Reinforced Concrete Pipes near a Major River

Abstract Water main failures impose significant financial burdens, necessitating substantial investments in repairs and replacements. As the aging cast iron infrastructure persists, the rate of water main failures is expected to rise. Projections indicate that the United States will need to allocate more than $1 trillion for underground water infrastructure work within the next 25 years, and $1.7 trillion over the following 40 years. Water main breaks primarily occur due to factors such as aging, corrosive soil, pipe material, galvanic action, stray current corrosion, and microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC). This paper focuses on the condition assessment of 80-year-old cast iron pipe and reinforced concrete pipe located near a major river. The failure of these pipes present at a designated Superfund contamination site can lead to contaminated water leakage from the infrastructure into the river, posing significant environmental and health hazards. By examining the condition of these aging pipes, this research provides valuable insights for proactive maintenance and repair strategies. Implementing appropriate measures to prevent pipe failures can mitigate the environmental and health risks associated with water main breaks, safeguarding public well-being, and optimizing the allocation of financial resources in the water infrastructure sector.