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Infrastructure

Both urban and rural water infrastructure face complex challenges, but investing in new or modernizing infrastructure will alleviate some of the biggest.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) graded the US water infrastructure a D in 2021. In addition to consistent water main breaks which result in a loss of 2 trillion gallons of treated drinking water each year, there is also increased risk to lead contamination as there are an estimated 6-10 million lead service lines still in use. 

In addition to these concerns, water scarcity continues to cause issues in some parts of the country, particulary the western US. Wastewater treatment also has a number of issues with 15% of the country's wastewater treatment plants in poor condition. All of this has been exasberated by the continual buget shortfalls to the point significant investment is needed over hte next 20 years to upgrade and maintain the failing water infrastructure. 

Number of water main breaks in the US each year
240,000
Annual investment necessary to improve water infrastructure
$109 Billion

Hot-dip galvanized steel is used throughout the water infrastructure system, but increased use can provide durable, long-lasting corrosion resistance. By reducing maintenance needs, galvanized steel frees up time and money to decidate to improving additional water infrastructure rather than on applying bandaids to exit 

  • Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk 05

    HDG Performance in Water Environments

    Many parameters affect the performance of zinc in water, but despite the difficulty of predicting corrosion rates, hot-dip galvanizing provides corrosion protection in a variety of water applications.

  • Diemer Water Treatement 01 840x930

    HDG & NSF-61 Certification for Potable Water

    Only galvanizers audited and approved by the NSF have the authority to galvanize products for use with potable water.

  • Round Butte Dam 05 840x930

    Water Hardness & HDG

    Predicting the service life of hot-dip galvanized steel in water immersion service is difficult because there are many factors that affect the corrosion rate of galvanized steel in water.

  • Card design guide

    Design Guide: Products Galvanized After Fabrication

    Design and fabrication practices for optimizing the quality of HDG coatings. This guide contains more than 30 full-color illustrations.

Infrastructure Components

Anchor Bolts

Barriers

Beams

Buildings

Catwalks

Clarifiers

Columns

Fasteners

Fencing

Filters

Gates

Grating

Ladders/Stairways

Lighting

Platforms

Piping

Pipe Supports

Pump Stations

Railings

Ramps

Reinforcing Steel

Signage

Stairways

Storm Drains