CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="no-js" lang="en-GB"> <head profile="http://gmpg.org/xfn/11"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" > <meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1' /> <style>img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]) { contain-intrinsic-size: 3000px 1500px }</style> <script>document.documentElement.className = document.documentElement.className.replace("no-js","js");</script>  <title>Best practices to address aging urban water infrastructure | DHI Reservoir - Drops of knowledge</title> <link rel="canonical" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/" /> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_GB" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Best practices to address aging urban water infrastructure | DHI Reservoir - Drops of knowledge" /> <meta property="og:description" content="It’s no secret that the world’s urban water infrastructure isn’t getting any younger. Couple that with population growth, urbanisation and climate change, and that puts even more stress on these assets that we rely on to deliver clean water and appropriately dispose (recycle) wastewater. Poorly managed aging urban water infrastructure results in:  That’s why repairing, replacing and rehabilitating aging urban water infrastructure […]" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="DHI Reservoir - Drops of knowledge" /> <meta property="article:publisher" content="https://www.facebook.com/DHIgroup" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2021-06-09T08:52:33+00:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2023-08-10T06:26:20+00:00" /> <meta property="og:image" content="http://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-banner.jpeg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="1000" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="400" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <meta name="author" content="DHI" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@dhigroup" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@dhigroup" /> <meta name="twitter:label1" content="Written by" /> <meta name="twitter:data1" content="DHI" /> <meta name="twitter:label2" content="Estimated reading time" /> <meta name="twitter:data2" content="4 minutes" /> <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/"},"author":{"name":"DHI","@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/#/schema/person/84a399f16e85e27f10a6f9410a4b52bc"},"headline":"Best practices to address aging urban water infrastructure","datePublished":"2021-06-09T08:52:33+00:00","dateModified":"2023-08-10T06:26:20+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/"},"wordCount":861,"publisher":{"@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-banner.jpeg","keywords":["aging infrastrucuture","integrated urban water management","urban water","urban water modelling"],"articleSection":["Cities","Urban drainage","Wastewater treatment","Water supply and distribution"],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/","url":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/","name":"Best practices to address aging urban water infrastructure | DHI Reservoir - Drops of knowledge","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-banner.jpeg","datePublished":"2021-06-09T08:52:33+00:00","dateModified":"2023-08-10T06:26:20+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/#primaryimage","url":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-banner.jpeg","contentUrl":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-banner.jpeg","width":1000,"height":400,"caption":"Replacement pipes in the city.Construction of heating mains for municipal infrastructure, the concept of city development"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Best practices to address aging urban water infrastructure"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/#website","url":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/","name":"DHI Reservoir - Drops of knowledge","description":"blog.dhigroup.com","publisher":{"@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/#organization","name":"DHI","url":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/#/schema/logo/image/","url":"/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DHI_Logo_Pos_RGB-legacy10-1.png","contentUrl":"/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DHI_Logo_Pos_RGB-legacy10-1.png","width":120,"height":71,"caption":"DHI"},"image":{"@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/#/schema/logo/image/"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/DHIgroup","https://x.com/dhigroup","https://www.linkedin.com/company/dhi","https://www.youtube.com/user/DHIGroup"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/#/schema/person/84a399f16e85e27f10a6f9410a4b52bc","name":"DHI","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/#/schema/person/image/","url":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DHI_Logo_Pos_RGB-avatar-150x143.png","contentUrl":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DHI_Logo_Pos_RGB-avatar-150x143.png","caption":"DHI"},"description":"DHI has been committed to advancing and sharing knowledge of water environments for over 60 years. Headquartered in Denmark, we have offices in 26 countries. Every day, our more than 1,100 engineers and other specialists work within the entire water cycle to innovate new ways to use, manage and live with water and protect water-related ecosystems. We leverage our domain expertise, advanced technologies and unique modelling software to support decision-makers in the global water industry. Together with our clients and partners, we enable a sustainable future for water.","url":"https://blog.dhigroup.com/author/dhi/"}]}</script>  <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="DHI Reservoir - Drops of knowledge » Feed" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="DHI Reservoir - Drops of knowledge » Comments Feed" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/comments/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="DHI Reservoir - Drops of knowledge » Best practices to address aging urban water infrastructure Comments Feed" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/feed/" /> <script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/blog.dhigroup.com\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.7.2"}}; /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(i,n){var o,s,e;function c(e){try{var t={supportTests:e,timestamp:(new Date).valueOf()};sessionStorage.setItem(o,JSON.stringify(t))}catch(e){}}function p(e,t,n){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);var t=new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data),r=(e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(n,0,0),new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data));return t.every(function(e,t){return e===r[t]})}function u(e,t,n){switch(t){case"flag":return n(e,"\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f","\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200b\u26a7\ufe0f")?!1:!n(e,"\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf3","\ud83c\uddfa\u200b\ud83c\uddf3")&&!n(e,"\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f","\ud83c\udff4\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc62\u200b\udb40\udc65\u200b\udb40\udc6e\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc7f");case"emoji":return!n(e,"\ud83d\udc26\u200d\u2b1b","\ud83d\udc26\u200b\u2b1b")}return!1}function f(e,t,n){var r="undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope?new OffscreenCanvas(300,150):i.createElement("canvas"),a=r.getContext("2d",{willReadFrequently:!0}),o=(a.textBaseline="top",a.font="600 32px Arial",{});return e.forEach(function(e){o[e]=t(a,e,n)}),o}function t(e){var t=i.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=!0,i.head.appendChild(t)}"undefined"!=typeof Promise&&(o="wpEmojiSettingsSupports",s=["flag","emoji"],n.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},e=new Promise(function(e){i.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",e,{once:!0})}),new Promise(function(t){var n=function(){try{var e=JSON.parse(sessionStorage.getItem(o));if("object"==typeof e&&"number"==typeof e.timestamp&&(new Date).valueOf()<e.timestamp+604800&&"object"==typeof e.supportTests)return e.supportTests}catch(e){}return null}();if(!n){if("undefined"!=typeof Worker&&"undefined"!=typeof OffscreenCanvas&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&URL.createObjectURL&&"undefined"!=typeof Blob)try{var e="postMessage("+f.toString()+"("+[JSON.stringify(s),u.toString(),p.toString()].join(",")+"));",r=new Blob([e],{type:"text/javascript"}),a=new Worker(URL.createObjectURL(r),{name:"wpTestEmojiSupports"});return void(a.onmessage=function(e){c(n=e.data),a.terminate(),t(n)})}catch(e){}c(n=f(s,u,p))}t(n)}).then(function(e){for(var t in e)n.supports[t]=e[t],n.supports.everything=n.supports.everything&&n.supports[t],"flag"!==t&&(n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&n.supports[t]);n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!n.supports.flag,n.DOMReady=!1,n.readyCallback=function(){n.DOMReady=!0}}).then(function(){return e}).then(function(){var e;n.supports.everything||(n.readyCallback(),(e=n.source||{}).concatemoji?t(e.concatemoji):e.wpemoji&&e.twemoji&&(t(e.twemoji),t(e.wpemoji)))}))}((window,document),window._wpemojiSettings); /* ]]> */ </script> <link rel='stylesheet' id='twb-open-sans-css' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans%3A300%2C400%2C500%2C600%2C700%2C800&display=swap&ver=6.7.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='twb-global-css' href='https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/plugins/form-maker/booster/assets/css/global.css?ver=1.0.0' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='wp-emoji-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> img.wp-smiley, img.emoji { display: inline !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; height: 1em !important; width: 1em !important; margin: 0 0.07em !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; background: none !important; padding: 0 !important; } </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=6.7.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> :root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #111;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--color--accent: #1c3a86;--wp--preset--color--dark-gray: #333;--wp--preset--color--medium-gray: #555;--wp--preset--color--light-gray: #777;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 15px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 24px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--font-size--normal: 17px;--wp--preset--font-size--larger: 28px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} :root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ppress-frontend-css' href='https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/css/frontend.min.css?ver=4.15.21' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ppress-flatpickr-css' href='https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/flatpickr/flatpickr.min.css?ver=4.15.21' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ppress-select2-css' href='https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/select2/select2.min.css?ver=6.7.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='akismet-widget-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .a-stats { --akismet-color-mid-green: #357b49; --akismet-color-white: #fff; --akismet-color-light-grey: #f6f7f7; max-width: 350px; width: auto; } .a-stats * { all: unset; box-sizing: border-box; } .a-stats strong { font-weight: 600; } .a-stats a.a-stats__link, .a-stats a.a-stats__link:visited, .a-stats a.a-stats__link:active { background: var(--akismet-color-mid-green); border: none; box-shadow: none; border-radius: 8px; color: var(--akismet-color-white); cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', 'Roboto', 'Oxygen-Sans', 'Ubuntu', 'Cantarell', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-weight: 500; padding: 12px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.2s ease; } /* Extra specificity to deal with TwentyTwentyOne focus style */ .widget .a-stats a.a-stats__link:focus { background: var(--akismet-color-mid-green); color: var(--akismet-color-white); text-decoration: none; } .a-stats a.a-stats__link:hover { filter: brightness(110%); box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06), 0 0 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.16); } .a-stats .count { color: var(--akismet-color-white); display: block; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.4; padding: 0 13px; white-space: nowrap; } </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='rowling_google_fonts-css' href='https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/themes/rowling/assets/css/fonts.css?ver=6.7.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='rowling_fontawesome-css' href='https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/themes/rowling/assets/css/font-awesome.min.css?ver=5.13.0' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='rowling_style-css' href='https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/themes/rowling/style.css?ver=2.1.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?ver=3.7.1" id="jquery-core-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=3.4.1" id="jquery-migrate-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/plugins/form-maker/booster/assets/js/circle-progress.js?ver=1.2.2" id="twb-circle-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="twb-global-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var twb = {"nonce":"6fd1a98121","ajax_url":"https:\/\/blog.dhigroup.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","plugin_url":"https:\/\/blog.dhigroup.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/form-maker\/booster","href":"https:\/\/blog.dhigroup.com\/wp-admin\/admin.php?page=twb_form-maker"}; var twb = {"nonce":"6fd1a98121","ajax_url":"https:\/\/blog.dhigroup.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","plugin_url":"https:\/\/blog.dhigroup.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/form-maker\/booster","href":"https:\/\/blog.dhigroup.com\/wp-admin\/admin.php?page=twb_form-maker"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/plugins/form-maker/booster/assets/js/global.js?ver=1.0.0" id="twb-global-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/flatpickr/flatpickr.min.js?ver=4.15.21" id="ppress-flatpickr-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/select2/select2.min.js?ver=4.15.21" id="ppress-select2-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/themes/rowling/assets/js/flexslider.js?ver=1" id="rowling_flexslider-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/themes/rowling/assets/js/doubletaptogo.js?ver=1" id="rowling_doubletap-js"></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/1589" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.7.2" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://blog.dhigroup.com/?p=1589' /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.dhigroup.com%2Fbest-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.dhigroup.com%2Fbest-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure%2F&format=xml" />  <link rel='stylesheet' id='google-inter-locally' href='https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/themes/rowling/assets/fonts/inter.css' type='text/css' media='all'/> <!=======================> <! Google > <!=======================>   <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-PX678YNPXF"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-PX678YNPXF'); </script>   <meta name="google-site-verification" content="QYc-b82WyZ7XdB5oUMKa6ckpWtB4kZdoQDDpjwMpD-g" />  <!=======================> <! End of Google > <!=======================> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/5.15.2/css/all.min.css" integrity="sha512-HK5fgLBL+xu6dm/Ii3z4xhlSUyZgTT9tuc/hSrtw6uzJOvgRr2a9jyxxT1ely+B+xFAmJKVSTbpM/CuL7qxO8w==" crossorigin="anonymous" /> <style> .post-image-caption {display: none;} /* hide Rowling theme default image captions KKJ */ div#categories-5 h3 {display: none !important;} /* styling search box NOTE ID5: KKJ */ .attribution {display: none;} /* remove theme author from footer KKJ */ .wrapper #cat {display: block; width: 100%; padding: 10px; margin: 0; background: #fff; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 0; font-family: 'Roboto', Lato, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; color: #111;} p.post-meta, /* frontpage date */ div.post-meta, /* blog post auther and date */ p.meta {display: none !IMPORTANT;} /* frontpage suggested posts in right side */ /* new design */ /* fonts */ body {font-family: 'Inter', 'Lato', sans-serif;} blockquote:after {font-family: 'Inter', 'Georgia', serif;} blockquote cite {font-family: 'Inter', Lato, Helvetica, sans-serif;} code, kbd, pre {font-family: 'Inter', Menlo, Monaco, monospace;} .wp-caption-text, .gallery-caption, figcaption {font-family: 'Inter', Lato, Helvetica, sans-serif;} fieldset legend {font-family: 'Inter', Lato, Helvetica, sans-serif;} label {font-family: 'Inter', Lato, Helvetica, sans-serif;} input, textarea {font-family: 'Inter', Lato, Helvetica, sans-serif;} .search-container .search-field {font-family: 'Inter', 'Lato', sans-serif;} .blog-description {font-family: 'Inter', 'Merriweather', Georgia, serif;} .post-title {font-family: 'Inter', 'Merriweather', Georgia, serif; font-weight: 700;} .single-post .post-title {font-weight: 700 !IMPORTANT;} .post-categories {font-weight: 700 !IMPORTANT;} .post-content p.page-links {font-family: Inter, Lato, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-weight: 700;} .post-content { font-family: 'Inter', 'Lato', sans-serif;} .post-content h1, .post-content h2, .post-content h3 {font-family: 'Inter', 'Merriweather', Georgia, serif; font-weight: 700;} .wp-block-cover, .wp-block-cover-image {font-family: Inter, Lato, sans-serif;} .post-content .wp-block-file {font-family: Inter, Lato, sans-serif;} .wrapper .search-field {font-family: Inter, Lato, Helvetica, sans-serif;} .widget_rss li a {font-family: 'Inter', 'Merriweather', Georgia, serif;} .rowling-widget-list .title {font-family: 'Inter', 'Merriweather', Georgia, serif;} /* colors */ .header-wrapper, .credits {background: #1c3a86 !IMPORTANT;} .blog-title a:hover {color: #1b1b22 !IMPORTANT;} /* misc */ .nav-toggle {display: none !IMPORTANT;} .to-the-top {border: 2px solid white !IMPORTANT;} </style><style type="text/css">a { color:#1c3a86; }.blog-title a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.navigation .section-inner { background-color:#1c3a86; }.primary-menu ul li:hover > a { color:#1c3a86; }.search-container .search-button:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.sticky .sticky-tag { background-color:#1c3a86; }.sticky .sticky-tag:after { border-right-color:#1c3a86; }.sticky .sticky-tag:after { border-left-color:#1c3a86; }.post-categories { color:#1c3a86; }.single .post-meta a { color:#1c3a86; }.single .post-meta a:hover { border-bottom-color:#1c3a86; }.single-post .post-image-caption .fa { color:#1c3a86; }.related-post .category { color:#1c3a86; }p.intro { color:#1c3a86; }blockquote:after { color:#1c3a86; }fieldset legend { background-color:#1c3a86; }button, .button, .faux-button, :root .wp-block-button__link, :root .wp-block-file__button, input[type="button"], input[type="reset"], input[type="submit"] { background-color:#1c3a86; }:root .has-accent-color { color:#1c3a86; }:root .has-accent-background-color { background-color:#1c3a86; }.page-edit-link { color:#1c3a86; }.post-content .page-links a:hover { background-color:#1c3a86; }.post-tags a:hover { background-color:#1c3a86; }.post-tags a:hover:before { border-right-color:#1c3a86; }.post-navigation h4 a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.comments-title-container .fa { color:#1c3a86; }.comment-reply-title .fa { color:#1c3a86; }.comments .pingbacks li a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.comment-header h4 a { color:#1c3a86; }.bypostauthor .comment-author-icon { background-color:#1c3a86; }.comments-nav a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.pingbacks-title { border-bottom-color:#1c3a86; }.archive-title { border-bottom-color:#1c3a86; }.archive-nav a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.widget-title { border-bottom-color:#1c3a86; }.widget-content .textwidget a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.widget_archive li a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.widget_categories li a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.widget_meta li a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.widget_nav_menu li a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.widget_rss .widget-content ul a.rsswidget:hover { color:#1c3a86; }#wp-calendar thead th { color:#1c3a86; }#wp-calendar tfoot a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.widget .tagcloud a:hover { background-color:#1c3a86; }.widget .tagcloud a:hover:before { border-right-color:#1c3a86; }.footer .widget .tagcloud a:hover { background-color:#1c3a86; }.footer .widget .tagcloud a:hover:before { border-right-color:#1c3a86; }.wrapper .search-button:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.to-the-top { background-color:#1c3a86; }.credits .copyright a:hover { color:#1c3a86; }.nav-toggle { background-color:#1c3a86; }.mobile-menu { background-color:#1c3a86; }</style> </head> <body class="post-template-default single single-post postid-1589 single-format-standard has-featured-image"> <a class="skip-link button" href="#site-content">Skip to the content</a> <div class="search-container"> <div class="section-inner"> <form method="get" class="search-form" id="search-form-67b31b0a3f015" action="https://blog.dhigroup.com/"> <input type="search" class="search-field" placeholder="Search Form" name="s" id="search-form-67b31b0a3f016" /> <button type="submit" class="search-button"><div class="fa fw fa-search"></div><span class="screen-reader-text">Search</span></button> </form> </div> </div> <header class="header-wrapper"> <div class="header"> <div class="section-inner"> <div class="blog-title"> <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com" rel="home">DHI Reservoir - Drops of knowledge</a> </div> <div class="blog-description"><p>blog.dhigroup.com</p> </div> <div class="nav-toggle"> <div class="bars"> <div class="bar"></div> <div class="bar"></div> <div class="bar"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="navigation"> <div class="section-inner group"> <ul class="primary-menu reset-list-style dropdown-menu"> </ul> </div> </div> <ul class="mobile-menu reset-list-style"> </ul> </header> <main id="site-content"> <div class="wrapper section-inner group"> <div class="content"> <article id="post-1589" class="single single-post group post-1589 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-cities category-urban-drainage category-wastewater-treatment category-water-supply-and-distribution tag-aging-infrastrucuture tag-integrated-urban-water-management tag-urban-water tag-urban-water-modelling"> <div class="post-header"> <p class="post-categories"><a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/category/cities/" rel="category tag">Cities</a>, <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/category/cities/urban-drainage/" rel="category tag">Urban drainage</a>, <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/category/cities/wastewater-treatment/" rel="category tag">Wastewater treatment</a>, <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/category/cities/water-supply-and-distribution/" rel="category tag">Water supply and distribution</a></p> <h1 class="post-title">Best practices to address aging urban water infrastructure</h1> <div class="post-meta"> <span class="resp">Posted</span> <span class="post-meta-author">by <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/author/dhi/">DHI</a></span> <span class="post-meta-date">on <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/best-practices-to-address-aging-urban-water-infrastructure/">9 June 2021</a></span> </div> </div> <figure class="post-image"> <img width="816" height="326" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-banner-816x326.jpeg" class="attachment-post-image size-post-image wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-banner-816x326.jpeg 816w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-banner-300x120.jpeg 300w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-banner-768x307.jpeg 768w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-banner-400x160.jpeg 400w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-banner.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 816px) 100vw, 816px" /> <div class="post-image-caption"><span class="fa fw fa-camera"></span><p>Replacement pipes in the city.Construction of heating mains for municipal infrastructure, the concept of city development</p> </div> </figure> <div class="related-posts"> <p class="related-posts-title">Read Next →</p> <div class="row"> <a class="related-post" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/how-digital-twins-help-reduce-energy-use-and-carbon-footprint-in-wastewater-treatment-plants/"> <img width="400" height="200" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Optimised-Plant-1000x400-1-400x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-image-thumb size-post-image-thumb wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" /> <p class="category"> Cities </p> <h3 class="title">How digital twins help reduce energy use and carbon footprint in wastewater treatment plants</h3> </a> <a class="related-post" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/digital-twins-in-the-water-sector-what-are-they-and-how-do-we-get-there/"> <img width="400" height="160" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039-400x160.jpeg" class="attachment-post-image-thumb size-post-image-thumb wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039-400x160.jpeg 400w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039-300x120.jpeg 300w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039-768x307.jpeg 768w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039-816x326.jpeg 816w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /> <p class="category"> Cities </p> <h3 class="title">Digital Twins in the water sector: what are they and how do we get there?</h3> </a> <a class="related-post" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/the-new-phase-of-disaster-risk-management-are-we-doing-it-right/"> <img width="400" height="160" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner-400x160.jpeg" class="attachment-post-image-thumb size-post-image-thumb wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner-400x160.jpeg 400w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner-300x120.jpeg 300w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner-768x308.jpeg 768w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner-816x327.jpeg 816w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner.jpeg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /> <p class="category"> Cities </p> <h3 class="title">The new phase of disaster risk management: are we doing it right?</h3> </a> </div> </div> <div class="post-inner"> <div class="post-content entry-content"> <p>It’s no secret that the world’s urban water infrastructure isn’t getting any younger. Couple that with population growth, urbanisation and climate change, and that puts even more stress on these assets that we rely on to deliver clean water and appropriately dispose (recycle) wastewater. Poorly managed aging urban water infrastructure results in: </p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Expensive repairs of water mains and pipe bursts  </li> <li>Poor water quality and community health risks </li> <li>Increased non-revenue water levels </li> <li>High volume of infiltration/inflow (I/I) into sewers </li> </ul> <p><br>That’s why repairing, replacing and rehabilitating aging urban water infrastructure is an increasingly urgent priority in many cities worldwide. To do so successfully requires thoughtful, comprehensive and systematic planning. As such, there are several best practices water utilities and municipal authorities should consider before undertaking infrastructure improvement projects. </p> <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>Adopt a proactive approach</strong> </li> </ol> <p>Historically, municipalities and utilities have used a reactive approach to managing water infrastructure. Essentially, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ However, with a <em>proactive</em> mindset, we can determine when infrastructure might break and be prepared—physically and financially—to prevent infrastructure failures and service interruptions before they occur. With a proactive approach to asset management, you can stretch out the lifespan of your water infrastructure, protect the environment, and save valuable resources and money. </p> <ol class="wp-block-list" start="2"> <li><strong>Approve holistic plans</strong> </li> </ol> <p>To tackle aging urban infrastructure with a proactive approach, municipalities and utilities need to create holistic, <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/2021/03/24/5-steps-for-successful-integrated-urban-water-management/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">integrated urban water management </a>(IUWM) masterplans. With an IUWM approach, you’ll be able to understand your entire water and wastewater systems, from resource intake all the way to your customers’ taps. Such plans can help you avoid aging infrastructure-related service interruptions, manage public health risks and prevent fiscal surprises.  </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="400" src="/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-image-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1591" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-image-1.jpeg 600w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-image-1-300x200.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Holistic urban water plans require input from utilities, urban planners, water engineers and other stakeholders ©Myvisuals / Adobe Stock </figcaption></figure> <ol class="wp-block-list" start="3"> <li><strong>Make data-backed decisions</strong> </li> </ol> <p>For your IUWM masterplans to be as accurate as possible, you first need to complete comprehensive studies of performance of networks and treatment plants. The data collected from these studies help water engineers and decision makers determine and prioritise system needs. These priorities can then be mapped out in your IUWM plan. With accurate data, your IUWM plans can be timed to coincide with service area growth, new water quality regulations, and of course, aging infrastructure. </p> <ol class="wp-block-list" start="4"> <li><strong>Embrace water management tools and technology</strong> </li> </ol> <p>Collecting data for comprehensive studies used to be a long, manual process. However, creating IUWM plans is an excellent opportunity to introduce cost-saving, performance-enhancing technologies that speed up the process. Embracing technologies can give you the ability to make your infrastructure smarter. Installing sensors on your urban water infrastructure, for example, can monitor flows as well as identify leaks, degrading structures and other system malfunctions. This data can be used in <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/2021/04/23/integrated-urban-water-management-how-to-move-from-strategy-to-execution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban water analytical tools</a> which help you compare interventions and make better decisions on rehabilitation priorities. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="200" src="/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-Image-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1592" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-Image-2.jpg 600w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-Image-2-300x100.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Urban water technologies can provide data-backed answers to complex questions ©Martin / Adobe Stock and ©peshkova / Adobe Stock</figcaption></figure> <p>5. <strong>Don’t forget finances</strong> </p> <p>All the planning in the world can’t change the fact that infrastructure repairs are costly, and infrastructure issues don’t just magically disappear. Smart cities and utilities spend significantly on upgrades to continue to provide essential services to communities. However, infrastructure investments need to be targeted to ensure the most cost-effective, sustainable solution is chosen to mitigate the highest risks. In your IUWM plan, you can develop a capital replacement program based on when your aging pipes may fail and fold these data into a financial plan to understand potential financial impacts.</p> <p>6. <strong>Consider green infrastructure</strong> </p> <p>Many communities can’t afford extensive infrastructure improvements. For those, green infrastructure may be an affordable option, according to the <a href="http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</a>. Instead of pipes, green infrastructure uses vegetation and soil to help manage stormwater. Such <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/2020/07/08/shaping-the-future-of-our-cities-with-sustainable-urban-drainage-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS)</a> can help alleviate flooding and manage air quality. Best yet, <a href="https://www.mikepoweredbydhi.com/products/mikeplus/collection-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">some technologies</a> allow you to virtually test out various green, low-impact development options before investing in a solution.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="400" src="/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-image-3.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1590" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-image-3.jpeg 600w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1-Blog-1-image-3-300x200.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Example of a low-impact development infrastructure ©Kristina Blokhin / Adobe Stock</figcaption></figure> <p><strong>No simple solution—only steps—to mitigate aging infrastructure</strong></p> <p>Urban water services greatly impact larger social and economic developments, and therefore, should be rationally and efficiently managed. But aging urban water infrastructure is a worldwide phenomenon. Each municipality or utility will have to make asset management decisions based on their unique context and circumstances.</p> <p>However, the general best practices presented here can help urban water decision makers achieve adequate levels of service now and in the future. Municipalities and water utilities need to scale integrated urban water management plans, deploy innovative technologies, and adopt infrastructure-related policies to modernise systems and make them sustainable.</p> <p></p> <p> </p> </div> <div class="post-tags"><a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/tag/aging-infrastrucuture/" rel="tag">aging infrastrucuture</a><a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/tag/integrated-urban-water-management/" rel="tag">integrated urban water management</a><a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/tag/urban-water/" rel="tag">urban water</a><a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/tag/urban-water-modelling/" rel="tag">urban water modelling</a></div> <div class="post-author"> <a class="avatar" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/author/dhi/"> <img alt='' src='https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DHI_Logo_Pos_RGB-avatar-150x143.png' srcset='https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DHI_Logo_Pos_RGB-avatar.png 2x' class='avatar avatar-100 photo' height='100' width='100' loading='lazy' decoding='async'/> </a> <h4 class="title"><a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/author/dhi/">DHI</a></h4> <div class="post-author-description"> <p>DHI has been committed to advancing and sharing knowledge of water environments for over 60 years. Headquartered in Denmark, we have offices in 26 countries. Every day, our more than 1,100 engineers and other specialists work within the entire water cycle to innovate new ways to use, manage and live with water and protect water-related ecosystems. We leverage our domain expertise, advanced technologies and unique modelling software to support decision-makers in the global water industry. Together with our clients and partners, we enable a sustainable future for water.</p> </div> </div> <div class="related-posts"> <p class="related-posts-title">Read Next →</p> <div class="row"> <a class="related-post" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/how-digital-twins-help-reduce-energy-use-and-carbon-footprint-in-wastewater-treatment-plants/"> <img width="400" height="200" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Optimised-Plant-1000x400-1-400x200.jpg" class="attachment-post-image-thumb size-post-image-thumb wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /> <p class="category"> Cities </p> <h3 class="title">How digital twins help reduce energy use and carbon footprint in wastewater treatment plants</h3> </a> <a class="related-post" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/digital-twins-in-the-water-sector-what-are-they-and-how-do-we-get-there/"> <img width="400" height="160" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039-400x160.jpeg" class="attachment-post-image-thumb size-post-image-thumb wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039-400x160.jpeg 400w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039-300x120.jpeg 300w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039-768x307.jpeg 768w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039-816x326.jpeg 816w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AdobeStock_128564039.jpeg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /> <p class="category"> Cities </p> <h3 class="title">Digital Twins in the water sector: what are they and how do we get there?</h3> </a> <a class="related-post" href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/the-new-phase-of-disaster-risk-management-are-we-doing-it-right/"> <img width="400" height="160" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner-400x160.jpeg" class="attachment-post-image-thumb size-post-image-thumb wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner-400x160.jpeg 400w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner-300x120.jpeg 300w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner-768x308.jpeg 768w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner-816x327.jpeg 816w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/drr-banner.jpeg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /> <p class="category"> Cities </p> <h3 class="title">The new phase of disaster risk management: are we doing it right?</h3> </a> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="sidebar"> <div id="search-6" class="widget widget_search"><div class="widget-content"> <form method="get" class="search-form" id="search-form-67b31b0a41327" action="https://blog.dhigroup.com/"> <input type="search" class="search-field" placeholder="Search Form" name="s" id="search-form-67b31b0a41328" /> <button type="submit" class="search-button"><div class="fa fw fa-search"></div><span class="screen-reader-text">Search</span></button> </form></div></div><div id="categories-5" class="widget widget_categories"><div class="widget-content"><h3 class="widget-title">Categories</h3><form action="https://blog.dhigroup.com" method="get"><label class="screen-reader-text" for="cat">Categories</label><select name='cat' id='cat' class='postform'> <option value='-1'>Select Category</option> <option class="level-0" value="297">Aquaculture  (1)</option> <option class="level-0" value="6">Cities  (41)</option> <option class="level-0" value="330">Coastal development  (13)</option> <option class="level-0" value="154">Customer experience  (4)</option> <option class="level-0" value="76">Data & analytics  (9)</option> <option class="level-0" value="296">Energy  (14)</option> <option class="level-0" value="331">Environment and ecosystems management  (22)</option> <option class="level-0" value="334">Flood risk management  (11)</option> <option class="level-0" value="308">Geothermal energy  (1)</option> <option class="level-0" value="337">Industrial water  (1)</option> <option class="level-0" value="333">Integrated water resources management  (18)</option> <option class="level-0" value="260">Irrigation  (2)</option> <option class="level-0" value="295">Marine and coast  (29)</option> <option class="level-0" value="332">Marine infrastructure  (9)</option> <option class="level-0" value="302">Mining  (4)</option> <option class="level-0" value="275">Offshore wind  (15)</option> <option class="level-0" value="336">Ports and vessels  (4)</option> <option class="level-0" value="48">Research & development  (10)</option> <option class="level-0" value="335">River management  (5)</option> <option class="level-0" value="157">Technology & innovation  (34)</option> <option class="level-0" value="80">Toxicology  (6)</option> <option class="level-0" value="230">Urban drainage  (9)</option> <option class="level-0" value="303">Wastewater treatment  (15)</option> <option class="level-0" value="301">Water resources  (24)</option> <option class="level-0" value="329">Water supply and distribution  (13)</option> </select> </form><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ (function() { var dropdown = document.getElementById( "cat" ); function onCatChange() { if ( dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value > 0 ) { dropdown.parentNode.submit(); } } dropdown.onchange = onCatChange; })(); /* ]]> */ </script> </div></div><div id="rowling_recent_posts-2" class="widget Rowling_Recent_Posts"><div class="widget-content"><h3 class="widget-title">Recent Posts</h3> <ul class="rowling-widget-list reset-list-style"> <li> <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/pioneering-machine-learning-for-next-gen-water-modelling/" class="group"> <div class="post-icon"> <img width="150" height="150" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/92526-header-150x150.webp" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/92526-header-150x150.webp 150w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/92526-header-88x88.webp 88w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> </div> <div class="inner"> <p class="title">Pioneering machine learning for next-gen water modelling: fast physics-guided surrogates</p> <p class="meta">21 January 2025</p> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/using-satellite-based-innovation-to-accelerate-effective-marine-resource-management/" class="group"> <div class="post-icon"> <img width="150" height="150" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TSMP-Banner-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TSMP-Banner-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TSMP-Banner-88x88.jpg 88w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> </div> <div class="inner"> <p class="title">Using satellite-based innovation to accelerate effective marine resource management</p> <p class="meta">3 January 2025</p> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/modern-marine-forecasting-supports-resilient-offshore-wind-industry/" class="group"> <div class="post-icon"> <img width="150" height="150" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bluecast-blog-AdobeStock_556951719-150x150.jpeg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bluecast-blog-AdobeStock_556951719-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bluecast-blog-AdobeStock_556951719-88x88.jpeg 88w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> </div> <div class="inner"> <p class="title">Modern marine forecasting supports resilient offshore wind industry</p> <p class="meta">20 August 2024</p> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/the-iwrm-story/" class="group"> <div class="post-icon"> <img width="150" height="150" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IWRM-banner-AdobeStock_745295412-150x150.jpeg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IWRM-banner-AdobeStock_745295412-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IWRM-banner-AdobeStock_745295412-88x88.jpeg 88w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> </div> <div class="inner"> <p class="title">The IWRM story: the start of integrated water resources management</p> <p class="meta">30 July 2024</p> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/leveraging-satellite-earth-observation-to-transform-public-sector-operations/" class="group"> <div class="post-icon"> <img width="150" height="150" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/satellite-blog-23168002-150x150.jpeg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/satellite-blog-23168002-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/satellite-blog-23168002-88x88.jpeg 88w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /> </div> <div class="inner"> <p class="title">Leveraging satellite earth observation to transform public sector operations</p> <p class="meta">14 May 2024</p> </div> </a> </li> </ul> </div></div> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="credits"> <div class="section-inner"> <a href="#" class="to-the-top"> <div class="fa fw fa-angle-up"></div> <span class="screen-reader-text">To the top</span> </a> <p class="copyright">© 2025 <a href="https://blog.dhigroup.com/" rel="home">DHI Reservoir - Drops of knowledge</a></p> <p class="attribution">Theme by <a href="https://www.andersnoren.se">Anders Norén</a></p> </div> </footer> <!=======================> <! Google > <!=======================>  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-P84P2JT" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <!=======================> <! End of Google > <!=======================>     <script src="https://mktdplp102cdn.azureedge.net/public/latest/js/form-loader.js?v=1.39.1111.0"></script> <div class="d365-mkt-config" style="display:none" data-website-id="0B8wt7Bpr3OpJp7CTRLfV5T85_Oj_4etrzdbq2EzfEA" data-ignore-prevent-default="true" data-hostname="7444fa84dfef4c4885ac3fa70f96dfe5.svc.dynamics.com"> </div> <script type="text/javascript" id="ppress-frontend-script-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var pp_ajax_form = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/blog.dhigroup.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","confirm_delete":"Are you sure?","deleting_text":"Deleting...","deleting_error":"An error occurred. Please try again.","nonce":"8e14ee5609","disable_ajax_form":"false","is_checkout":"0","is_checkout_tax_enabled":"0","is_checkout_autoscroll_enabled":"true"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-user-avatar/assets/js/frontend.min.js?ver=4.15.21" id="ppress-frontend-script-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-content/themes/rowling/assets/js/global.js?ver=2.1.1" id="rowling_global-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://blog.dhigroup.com/wp-includes/js/comment-reply.min.js?ver=6.7.2" id="comment-reply-js" async="async" data-wp-strategy="async"></script> </body> </html>