Delaware is no stranger to hosting powerful storms with names such as Tropical Storm Fay, Hurricane Isaias, Zeta, Alex, Bonnie, Colin, and numerous others. A minimum of 108 tropical storms or hurricanes have visited the coastal state. Delaware’s hurricane season occupies 5 out of 12 months during July through November, and in 2022 it aw the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season.
In locations with stalker-like hurricane weather, aging infrastructure must be frequently maintained, repaired, or replaced through frequent inspections. Municipalities and other local governments, including Homeowner Associations, are tasked with protecting public health by neutralizing threats to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. Consistent inclement weather overwhelms capacities to the point that sewer systems flow untreated into water resources and directly impact water quality.
It is important to note that a hurricane is not required to initiate increased risk to public safety. Heavy downpours and spring storms can overwhelm infrastructure through the frequency of occurrence. If there is a potential for flooding, distribution, and collection infrastructure are affected. As Delaware is surrounded by large bodies of water and has a network of water resources running through it, understanding how sinister weather affects infrastructure and what can be done to minimize risk and increase resiliency is crucial.
Flood Mitigation: Hope For The Best & Prepare For The Worst
Hurricanes and heavy rainstorms cause flooding, high tides, and sea level rises which cripple highways, railroads, and public and private transportation. These damages occur within our eyesight, but what about the damage to our water infrastructure below the surface? Tropical storms can devastate the entire region by penetrating and polluting the water system and creating the need for extensive, costly repairs.
Storms that hit systems that are aged or ill-prepared amplify cost and damage. Roads, power, and water are the nation’s lifeblood, and when we are severed from this connection, it is life-altering and dangerous. The threat of wastewater seeping into drinking water is a real threat. Taxpayers can expect to pay several hundred billion dollars in damages (Hurricane Harvey $180 billion in Texas). Being prepared means having a design for stormwater and groundwater runoff and frequently maintaining water infrastructure systems with a maintenance plan.
As water travels to stormwater drains, biological and chemical contaminants flow with it. If rainfall overpowers the ground, it becomes impervious, causing sentiment and debris to sit on the ground and be carried away with the water flow. The debris exacerbates the problem of potential contamination of the drinking water supply by overwhelming water systems. Water systems cannot keep up with the demand.
As water treatment facilities overflow, untreated water is permitted to flow into the drinking water supply, including private wells. Remember our discussion on Hurricane Harvey? The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality indicated over 60 drinking water systems and 40 wastewater systems were inoperable, contaminating reservoirs. The cleanup took months.
One common theme introduced to flood mitigation is replacing or refurbishing impervious surfaces with surfaces that invite absorption. There are several costs for municipalities and local governments when considering this move. Things to consider include maintenance, adaptability to the current system, implementation, and if the remedy outweighs the potential benefits. Would it be cheaper to repair after a storm or prepare for one?
The past two years have caused government and emergency response agencies to take another look at the playbook and develop a plan that works for their particular region. Many states are capitalizing on the Biden Infrastructure law.
Access to clean drinking water will always be a priority. Proper planning and frequent maintenance are vital to sustaining clean drinking water. The importance of investing in infrastructure cannot be overstated. Standard Pipe Services, LLC understands the specific needs of the tri-state area as a 50-year resident and service provider. We are equipped to serve your infrastructure asset maintenance and pipe rehabilitation needs. Our knowledgeable staff can participate in mitigation and maintenance planning discussions that fit within your budget.
Take advantage of our suite of pipe rehabilitation services. Standard Pipe Services, LLC is proud to contribute to the explosive growth of the infrastructure pipeline and assist our clients with locating the funds they need to initiate their project goals. If you want to collaborate on a project, contact us or follow us on LinkedIn and FaceBook.
