Politics and civil engineering aren’t usually brought up in the same sentence, but it’s happening more often with the new, roughly $1.2 trillion dollar bill that advanced in the US Senate last Wednesday, July 28th, 2021. The bi-partisan bill, formally known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), includes significant funding for various types of infrastructure nationwide. If it passes, it will be the largest addition of federal money into the public works system in over 10 years. This would impact cities and states across the country, as well as the people living in those communities, and a variety of businesses and industries, like civil engineering.
Read moreAssessing Your Own Water Quality
How do you know if the water you’re drinking is safe? How do you find more information about your local water supply? What should you do if you’re worried about lead in your drinking water?
While the stories about the drinking water in Flint and other cities can be worrisome, there are plenty of things to do if you’re concerned your water quality. We’ll explore various ways to learn more about your drinking water in this article.
Read moreThe Flint Water Crisis
The City of Flint, Michigan has been in the news for having high levels of lead in its drinking water. However this problem isn’t an isolated problem, it prevails in many other cities too, such as Sebring, Ohio, Brick Township, New Jersey and more. Typically, part of the problem is caused by old pipes, through which lead can leach into water. Though congress banned lead water pipes in 1986, millions are of older lines are still in use throughout the United States. Most often problems begin with a change in the water source or treatment process changes, which alter how the water interacts with the pipes, leaving them vulnerable to leaching. Additionally, funds and budgets for water treatment are getting tighter and tighter. According to the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, 17 states have cut drinking water budgets by more than 20%, 27 states have cut spending on full-time employees, and lastly federal officials have reduced drinking water grants.
Read moreWater Infrastructure
The average American uses between 80-100 gallons of water per day. But how often do we think about where it comes from or where it goes? Water infrastructure, both for drinking water and wastewater is incredibly important for our everyday lives.
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