If youre Walking Around in an urban area, youre probably stepping on a pipe. Man our grandparents paid for, and put in for the first time, these large Distribution Systems. Woman and in many cases, its not been touched since. Man were at a critical turning point. Much of that infrastructure is wearing out. Narrator our Water Infrastructure is made up of complex, underground systems that function continuously. These 10 locations take a look at the history, design, and challenges of our Water Infrastructure systems. Each one represents a small part of whats at stake on a national scale. But understanding the challenges starts with understanding the value of the three basic systems. Generations of americans have never experienced living without a constant, unlimited supply of water delivered straight to the tap, or without their waste flushed immediately away. I think people often forget because, you know, Water Utilities have made it very convenient for people to get water how important
Water utilities have made it very convenient for people to get water how important this is. Man in terms of water supply, wastewater, Stormwater Development these are independent technologies. But what came first, most often, was a water supply system. The basic system is essentially the same as we used back in the 19th century. And in some cases, some of the same pipes. Grusheski philadelphia was the First American city to develop a water system and to take on as a municipal responsibility water delivery to all of its citizens. When william penn laid out the city, he actually chose a spot of land that had a lot of groundwater. However, by 1730, 30,000 people lived within the first seven blocks of philadelphia, next to the delaware river. Well, 30,000 people caused filth in the city and polluted their water sources. The groundwater was not potable. And in one year, 1 6 of the population died of yellow fever. Now, they didnt know at the time that yellow fever was carried by mosquitoes.
A spot of land that had a lot of groundwater. However, by 1730, 30,000 people lived within the first seven blocks of philadelphia, next to the delaware river. Well, 30,000 people caused filth in the city and polluted their water sources. The groundwater was not potable. And in one year, 1 6 of the population died of yellow fever. Now, they didnt know at the time that yellow fever was carried by mosquitoes. But the health issue was major in that First Movement to build a water system. Narrator so they set out to find the cleanest source of water. Although the majority of philadelphias water now comes from the delaware river, early engineers found that development along the waterfront was causing pollution. So their search led them to the nearby schuylkill river. Philadelphia developed technologies to pump water from the river into the city. These technologies established Engineering Concepts that are still the basis for our Water Systems today. Europeans flocked here. It was a destinati
Across america, cities and towns, homes and businesses all depend upon one basic resource. Modern civilization and life itself would be impossible without it. Woman okay, so today, were going to look at how do we get our water . Narrator and today, its a matter of simply turning on the tap. So often, we forget about the value of water. Water is a commodity that is essential to life. 100 years ago, it would have been hard to imagine turning on the tap water. And now, its an expectation. Narrator over 300 Million People live in the United States. And each person uses an average of 100 gallons of water every day. Man what it takes to actually make clean water is somewhat a mystery to most customers. Woman so how does water get from the river into your house, or here at school . Woman somebody has to bring that water to us, and somebody has to take it away when were finished with it. Man the Water Infrastructure is vital for disease protection, fire protection, basic sanitation, economic d
Modern civilization and life itself would be impossible without it. Woman okay, so today, were going to look at how do we get our water . Narrator and today, its a matter of simply turning on the tap. So often, we forget about the value of water. Water is a commodity that is essential to life. 100 years ago, it would have been hard to imagine turning on the tap water. And now, its an expectation. Narrator over 300 Million People live in the United States. And each person uses an average of 100 gallons of water every day. Man what it takes to actually make clean water is somewhat a mystery to most customers. Woman so how does water get from the river into your house, or here at school . Woman somebody has to bring that water to us, and somebody has to take it away when were finished with it. Man the Water Infrastructure is vital for disease protection, fire protection, basic sanitation, economic development, and for our quality of life. Man you just cant visualize all the assets that ar