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Issue link: http://wateronline.epubxp.com/i/716370
Pipe Research Association. "Andy is the first person I am aware of in the United States to specify zinc coating for ductile iron pipe. This type of innovation works to extend the service life of an already superior and sustainable product by successfully addressing the pipe's number-one enemy — corrosion." The ductile iron pipe selected by the city of Kansas City has a 100-year lifespan. By specifying the use of zinc coating on the pipe, Kansas City hopes to extend the useful life of the infrastructure well beyond a century. Four years into the program, Kansas City is already realizing the value of the citywide investment through a record low number of water main breaks. "Andy is one of a few visionary leaders in the industry. From the beginning, he insisted that Kansas City would not sacrifice the future for a shortcut today," said Tom Crawford, VP and general manager for McWane Ductile Ohio. "Kansas City has a 100-year vision that leverages every cent invested to eliminate infrastructure burdens for future generations." Sustainable = SMaRT Kansas City's water infrastructure investment is not only strategic — it is also literally SMaRT. The city's 100- year water main replacement program uses only SMaRT- certified ductile iron pipe. In 2012, the Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability awarded the ductile iron pipe industry with certification as a gold-rated SMaRT product. The certification was based on a number of factors, but most notably because the pipe's material is made from 98 percent recycled material, and the manufactured ductile iron pipe itself is recyclable. Ductile iron pipe is one of only two products in the buried infrastructure industry to achieve this certification. "Ductile iron pipe earned especially high marks for recycled content, exceedingly long life, and for the industry's commitment to conserving energy and controlling emissions," said Horn. "The pipe has added value because it takes considerably less energy to pump water through the larger inside diameter and smooth interior lining of ductile iron pipe." SMaRT certification for the product has enabled the ductile iron pipe industry to quantify its impact on the environment. Since 2012, Kansas City has installed 120 miles of SMaRT- certified ductile iron pipe or the equivalent of 6,500 recycled vehicles. According to calculations published by the U.S. EPA, the energy savings made by this investment are equivalent to the electrical consumption of 4,579 homes for an entire year. "Sustainability is the implementation of smart solutions that transcend generations," said Shively. "Our analysis shows that the age and material of a pipe segment critically impact the lifespan of the pipe. The product that we install today matters. Making smart decisions today will protect future generations from paying for existing infrastructure challenges." The Billion-Dollar Challenge This year, Shively publicly issued and took on a $1-billion challenge. His charge is to find and implement strategic and sustainable solutions which will provide $1 billion in savings over the next 10 years. "Kansas City is investing $1.78 billion in water and sewer infrastructure over the next five years. It is critical that we make the most of this investment," said Shively. "We now have more data and more technology than ever before, and I believe the engineers of today have a responsibility to leverage those resources and avoid past mistakes. My billion-dollar challenge is a promise to Kansas City, and it is a call to the stewards of our system to bring forward the innovative and strategic solutions necessary to save our residents $1 billion." In Kansas City, the $1-billion challenge is already gaining momentum. In order to accept the challenge, professionals must provide sustainable solutions that have an immediate cost savings and that also have a long asset life. "Kansas City has already taken the $1-billion challenge," states Shively. "I encourage 999 other cities across the nation to join the challenge, so that we can eliminate $1 trillion in debt for the infrastructure investment facing our nation today. This crisis will only be remedied through the commitment of every public servant across the nation to find long-term solutions, not short-term remedies." For more information on Kansas City's water main replacement program, visit www.kcwaterservices.org. n 24 wateronline.com n Water Innovations PIPELINEREPLACEMENT Zinc-coated, SMaRT-certified ductile iron pipe Jennifer Rusch is a strategic marketing professional at Burns & McDonnell, specializing in communicating complex infrastructure programs in relatable and understandable ways. She lives and works in Kansas City, Mo. About The Author By specifying the use of zinc coating on the pipe, Kansas City hopes to extend the useful life of the infrastructure well beyond a century.