RC115 NovDec 2024 - Magazine - Page 42
CLOSING SHOT
SOLVING THE CRISIS:
CRUMBLING INVISIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE
by Jordan Flemming
ON’T LET YOUR EYES glaze over at the mention of
infrastructure, think of it as the unsung hero
of your daily life. Imagine your morning commute, your child’s walk to school or the simple
act of turning on the tap and 昀氀ushing the toilet.
This isn’t boring, it’s a technological marvel
that shapes our world and keeps everything running
smoothly.
The infrastructure of a country includes its roads,
bridges, airports and most importantly its underground systems such as water and wastewater management. Canada’s infrastructure crisis is a complex
issue that impacts everything from public health to
economic growth.
One of the most pressing concerns in Canada’s
infrastructure is the deteriorating state of
underground systems, particularly water and
wastewater infrastructure.
“These systems are often neglected because they are
out of sight and out of mind. Yet, they are critical to
public health and environmental sustainability,” says
Dr. Carl Haas, a professor of civil and environmental
engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo. “Sewers are what keep us from all getting cholera.”
Much of Canada’s underground infrastructure has reached the
end of its design life, and many of these systems are in poor condition or inadequate in design. The consequences of neglecting this
vital infrastructure are already visible in cities like Calgary and
Montreal, where recent water main breaks have caused signi昀椀cant
disruptions to daily life.
“The public’s lack of awareness and interest in these issues is a
signi昀椀cant barrier to addressing the problem,” says Haas. “Unlike
more visible infrastructure failures, such as tra昀케c delays or bridge
collapses—the gradual deterioration of underground infrastructure
doesn’t evoke an immediate emotional response from the public.”
One of Haas’s key recommendations is to adopt a longer planning
horizon for infrastructure projects.
“Countries with a history of valuing infrastructure, such as those
in Europe and Asia, often design public facilities with a lifespan of
hundreds of years. In contrast, Canada’s infrastructure is often built
with a much shorter design life—leading to a cycle of investment,
rapid deterioration and reinvestment.
“By extending the design life of infrastructure projects, Canada
could create a ‘virtuous cycle’ where good infrastructure leads to a
strong economy, improved social equity and shared wealth,” Haas
says. “However, this requires a shift in cultural attitudes and a
willingness to invest in the future. It takes some money to invest in
that kind of stu昀昀, but the payo昀昀 is huge if we just have the will as a
society.”
Another solution lies in the adoption of new technologies and
methods, such as trenchless repair and robotic systems, for the
inspection and repair of infrastructure. These technologies, which in-
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RENEW CANADA – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
clude directional drilling and remote-controlled robots, can reduce the
time, cost and disruption associated with traditional repair methods.
Haas compared these innovations to arthroscopic surgery, where less
invasive techniques lead to quicker recovery times.
However, Haas cautioned that the adoption of these technologies
has been slow, partly due to a lack of education and con昀椀dence among
those responsible for managing public utilities.
“If you’ve been working for 20 or 30 years in a public utilities
o昀케ce, you may just not have learned a lot about these techniques,”
he explains. “Investing in education and training is needed to build
con昀椀dence in these new methods.”
Haas highlighted the importance of public engagement in solving
Canada’s infrastructure crisis. He believes the lack of public demand
for better infrastructure is partly to blame for the current situation.
“We haven’t asked for anything better,” he says. “If the public were
more aware of the long-term bene昀椀ts of investing in infrastructure,
they might demand more from their elected o昀케cials and be willing to
support higher taxes or other measures to fund these projects.”
Canada’s infrastructure challenges require a multifaceted approach.
By focusing on longer-term planning, leveraging new technologies,
managing privatization carefully and enhancing public engagement,
Canada can begin to address the weaknesses in its infrastructure and
build a more resilient future. As Haas emphasized, good infrastructure is not just a matter of convenience — it is essential for public
health, economic prosperity and social equity. Perhaps it’s time for
Canada to recognize this and invest accordingly.
This article originally appeared in Waterloo News.
Jordan Flemming is manager, Integrated Communications,
University Relations at the University of Waterloo.
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