Tag

Aging Infrastructure

All articles tagged with #aging infrastructure

energy15 days ago•2 min saved

SPR Dips Below 300 Million Barrels, Four-Decade Low

The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve fell to 298.7 million barrels last week, a four-decade low and below 300 million for the first time since January 1983, as ongoing releases amid supply pressures from Iran reduce stockpiles. The SPR’s drawdown has been supported by previous orders, with the minimum safe level around 70 million barrels; GAO warns aging infrastructure limits drawdown capability, though officials say there is enough oil left to allow another release if needed.

via CNBC|

#1983-low #aging-infrastructure #energy

local29 days ago•7 min saved

Sunset Flood Exposes LA’s Century-Old Water Backbone

A ruptured 36-inch water main under Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood released 17 million gallons, flooding streets; the pipe was 110 years old, illustrating Los Angeles’ aging water system. LADWP oversees about 6,800 miles of small mains and 570 miles of large trunk lines, with roughly 30% of mains aged 80+ years. The city is replacing about 45 miles of pipe annually, a pace critics say needs acceleration, which would require more workers and higher rates. Engineers note that age isn’t the only factor in failures, pointing to soil, water tables, and maintenance as drivers of reliability.

via Los Angeles Times|

#aging-infrastructure #ladwp #local

california1 month ago•10 min saved

Century-Old Water Main Break Floods Sunset Strip in West Hollywood

An 110-year-old riveted steel trunk line ruptured early Thursday in West Hollywood, sending thousands of gallons of water down Sunset Boulevard, creating sinkholes and prompting street closures and transit disruptions. The 1916 pipe forms a major artery for LA’s water system, and its replacement isn’t slated until 2031 amid broader aging-infrastructure challenges for LADWP, which has faced funding and contracting hurdles in overhauling pipes. Officials cautioned that while water remains safe to drink, streets, businesses, and bus service were severely affected as crews assess and repair the line and surrounding infrastructure.

via Los Angeles Times|

#aging-infrastructure #california #ladwp

politics2 months ago•4 min saved

Sinkhole beneath I-44 in downtown St. Louis highlights aging water system

A roughly 30-foot hole opened under I-44 in downtown St. Louis after a 20-inch water main failed, prompting at least a week of closures and detours as officials reinforce the bridge columns and stabilize the sinkhole. The incident underscores decades of deferred maintenance on aging pipes, with the city pursuing a large rate hike to fund replacements, while questions about who will pay for repairs remain unresolved; authorities say the structure is currently sound and emphasize safety during the repair process.

via STLPR|

#aging-infrastructure #i-44-closure #politics

environment4 months ago•7 min saved

Michigan’s Dam Dilemma: Aging Infrastructure Faces a $1 Billion Repair Push Amid Floods

Northern Michigan floods reveal aging, underfunded infrastructure: about two-thirds of Michigan’s 2,600 dams are past their 50-year design life and need roughly $1 billion in repairs, with several undersized dams overwhelmed by extreme weather; communities from Cheboygan to Bellaire to Escanaba face overwhelmed water systems and road damage as climate-change–driven floods intensify, fueling renewed calls for dam-safety reforms and bigger infrastructure investments.

via Bridge Michigan|

#aging-infrastructure #climate-change #dam-safety

climate-and-environment5 months ago•73 min saved

January pipe collapse triggers Potomac sewage spill, fueling fears of aging U.S. infrastructure

A January pipe collapse led to a sewage spill into the Potomac River, spotlighting aging wastewater infrastructure in the DC region and sparking renewed worries about the resilience and environmental/public-health implications of U.S. water systems.

via AP News|

#aging-infrastructure #climate-and-environment #potomac-river

local-news1 year ago•5 min saved

West St. Paul Pool Faces Repair or Renovation Decision

West St. Paul is considering major renovations or replacement of its aging community pool, which is popular among residents but requires significant repairs. The city is evaluating two renovation options costing between $1.3 million and $4 million, with funding challenges and community support influencing the decision. The future of the pool depends on budget considerations and potential voter approval.

via Pioneer Press|

#aging-infrastructure #community-pool #local-news

health-and-environment2 years ago•14 min saved

"Uncovering the Health Risks of Asbestos in Drinking Water"

Aging asbestos cement water pipes are raising concerns about potential health risks as they degrade and release asbestos fibers into drinking water supplies. While the World Health Organization (WHO) currently does not consider ingestion of asbestos in drinking water to be a serious risk, some experts argue for more detailed research on the impact on human health. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and there are mixed findings on the potential health effects of ingesting asbestos fibers, with some studies showing a correlation with stomach and gut cancers. As aging asbestos cement pipes reach the end of their lifespan, the debate about the health risks associated with asbestos in drinking water is gaining attention globally.

via BBC.com|

#aging-infrastructure #asbestos #drinking-water

safety2 years ago•4 min saved

"Expert Tips: How to Spot Signs of a Potential Building Collapse"

Experts advise residents of older buildings to watch out for signs of structural degradation, including water intrusion, sagging ceilings, expanding cracks, and changes in windows and doors. They recommend reporting these issues to building owners or authorities. The recent collapse of a seven-story tenement building in New York City has highlighted the need for greater oversight and inspections of aging housing stock. The city's buildings department acknowledges the challenge of inspecting all buildings and is considering escalating fines to ensure landlords keep up with maintenance and repairs.

via USA TODAY|

#aging-infrastructure #building-collapses #building-inspections

education3 years ago•3 min saved

Heatwave Forces School Closures in Multiple U.S. Cities

High temperatures have forced school closures in several US cities, including Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Grand Rapids, renewing concerns about aging infrastructure amid climate change. In Pittsburgh, 40 schools shifted to remote learning, while in Grand Rapids, administrators canceled school for the remainder of the week. Poorly cooled or heated school buildings in the US is an intensifying worry as more school districts are grappling with aging infrastructure and the effects of climate change. A report in 2020 from the US Government Accountability Office concluded that roughly 41 percent of school districts need to update or replace heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems in at least half of their schools.

via The New York Times|

#aging-infrastructure #climate-change #education