Repairing America’s Water Infrastructure

US water infrastructureThe US water infrastructure is deteriorating at an alarming rate and reliable access to drinking water can no longer be considered a given.

A couple of great reports provide a full account of the problem. The first is the American Society of Civil Engineers 2013 report card on America’s drinking water infrastructure which gave a D grade due largely to inadequate investment. The second is a 2014 report by the environmental non-profit Johnson Foundation which puts forward that US cities and residents could see water cuts and unpredictable service if utilities do not update and reinvest.

Municipalities find it increasingly difficult to finance upgrades to water infrastructure due to budgetary restraints. It wasn’t always like this. In the 1970s and 1980s, the federal government paid for the bulk of capital spending for drinking water and sewage infrastructure with a construction grants program – more than 70 percent was financed this way in 1977 according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The grant program was phased out by 1990 and replaced with a smaller loan program. The federal government’s share of capital spending for water infrastructure in 2010 dropped to just one-sixth of total investment, about $8 billion, while state and local sources contributed $38 billion. Including operations and maintenance budgets, state and local agencies account for 95 percent of spending on water infrastructure, according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Hymax USA believes that it can be part of the solution to this problem. Our products offer durable solutions that can be implemented quickly and simply. The HYMAX coupling is the original two-bolt coupling solution that can withstand ground shifts and temperature changes with the adaptability to connect to a wide range of piping materials. HYMAX GRIP offers the same technology as the HYMAX combined with a unique radial gripping system for added strength. HYMAX VERSA is a highly versatile stainless steel coupling solution that can both connect and repair a wide range pipes, meaning that inventory space can be saved since it can perform the job of two different products.

As the US water and wastewater infrastructure becomes more complicated to fix, Hymax will be there to provide solutions that offer durability and ease of use. We hope 2016 will see fewer hours spent in the ditch making repairs, and greater peace of mind for those who install Hymax products.

In this issue of HYMAX Connected
December 2015 Hymax Connect | Hymax in the News | Doug's Tips & Tricks | Repairing America’s Water Infrastructure | Upcoming Event