Addressing aging infrastructure challenges

Kenosha Water Utility, a municipally owned water and wastewater utility located between Chicago & Milwaukee on the shores of Lake Michigan, has been a cornerstone of the community since 1895. Serving approximately 100,000 residents, the utility manages a vast infrastructure network, including 345 miles of sanitary sewer collection main and 374 miles of drinking water distribution main. For over a century, Kenosha Water Utility has delivered clean water to its community, fostering a long legacy of reliability and service.

However, with a history spanning more than 100 years, Kenosha Water Utility now faces the inevitable challenge of maintaining an aging infrastructure. The average age of pipe in both systems is approximately 60 years old, with much of their sanitary sewer network containing clay pipe installed over 100 years ago.

Until recently, Kenosha Water Utility relied primarily on a reactive maintenance approach—addressing issues only after they arose. This process proved costly and resource intensive—in fact, Kenosha calculated that the average cost of reactive maintenance was roughly three times as expensive as the same project completed proactively. The utility needed a way to address aging infrastructure more efficiently and to reduce the strain on its operations.

Furthermore, the utility has recently undergone significant organizational changes, facing nearly 100 percent turnover in their Engineering department over the past seven years. Lacking the institutional knowledge that is often the bedrock of strategic decision-making, the team knew that a change in thinking was necessary.

The younger generation is much more focused than previous ones on creating processes that can last over time. Not only will this help them as they advance in their career, but it will create a legacy to help future generations that come after them.

Embracing data-driven strategies for sustainable water management

To move away from the inefficiencies of reactive maintenance, Kenosha Water Utility sought out a proactive, data-driven solution and found it in the APX^® platform. APX10 specializes in delivering comprehensive decision intelligence solutions through advanced big data analytics, providing utilities with actionable insights based on their existing infrastructure data.

By implementing APX^®, Kenosha Water Utility can now assess the condition and criticality of its water and sewer pipelines with greater precision. The platform aggregates data across the utility’s pipeline, enabling utility managers to make more informed decisions about reinvestment and maintenance. This transition to a proactive approach reduces operational costs, minimizes downtime, and optimizes the lifespan of their infrastructure.

Thanks to APX10’s solution, Kenosha Water Utility is positioned to continue delivering safe, reliable water services to its community for many years to come, while also ensuring that their infrastructure remains sustainable for future generations.