Expert Interview: Evan Pratt on Water Infrastructure and Community Input
Evan Pratt discusses the challenges and importance of reinvesting in water infrastructure, community input, and the need for long-term planning.
00:00:04 UMSI Water Theme Year - Expert Interview: Evan Pratt. Evan Pratt, the Water Resources Commissioner for Washtenaw County, discusses the importance of drinking water infrastructure and the role of community input in determining the type of infrastructure needed.
📚 The School of Information at the University of Michigan is focusing on access to safe drinking water as a theme for their client base classes.
💧 Evan Pratt, the Water Resources Commissioner for Washtenaw County, discusses the role of drinking water infrastructure and the different types of water infrastructure.
💡 The type of water infrastructure needed for a community depends on its goals and desired quality of life, as well as the input and preferences of its residents.
00:04:33 UMSI Water Theme Year - Expert Interview: Evan Pratt. The biggest challenge in the water industry is ensuring uninterrupted water supply. Community engagement through town halls and surveys is important for gathering feedback. Water infrastructure faces challenges of invisibility and long life cycles.
The importance of continuous access to water and the challenges of maintaining water systems during power outages.
The need for community involvement and feedback in addressing water infrastructure.
Strategies such as town halls and drop-in sessions for gathering public input on infrastructure projects.
The challenges of making water infrastructure visible and the long life cycle of these systems.
00:09:19 The interview discusses the challenges and importance of reinvesting in infrastructure. Underinvestment has been a major issue, leading to problems in water and sewer systems. The high cost of infrastructure projects can be compared to the cost of car repairs.
🔑 Longer life cycles require proper maintenance to save money over time.
💡 Underinvestment in infrastructure is a significant problem, especially in Michigan.
🌍 The US falls behind other G7 nations in infrastructure investment.
00:14:11 Expert interview discussing the challenges of funding and communicating infrastructure projects and the importance of preventative investment in maintaining reliable systems.
💡 The goal is to provide reliable and affordable water systems for people.
🗣️ Communicating the importance of infrastructure is a challenge.
🌉 Infrastructure is often neglected until there is a major problem.
00:19:10 UMSI Water Theme Year - Expert Interview: Evan Pratt. Discusses the importance of long-term reinvestment plans in the engineering and construction industry. Emphasizes the need for community goals and infrastructure planning to meet the needs and desires of the community.
Improving the efficiency of money usage in engineering and construction projects.
The importance of long-term reinvestment plans and community goals in infrastructure development.
The need for rigorous financial planning and maintenance investment to prevent costly and avoidable issues.
00:24:08 Interview with Evan Pratt on water infrastructure planning and improvement. Focus on regular review, feedback loops, and optimizing existing assets. Also mentions information technology opportunities and remote sensing and controls.
📅 Long-term planning cycles in infrastructure projects
🔄 Continuous improvement and feedback loop approach in shaping plans
👥🔍 Importance of understanding community expectations and needs
🛠️ Tools and technologies for better management of water infrastructure
🌧️ Challenges and unpredictability in stormwater systems
00:29:09 The interview discusses the challenges of designing storm water systems for climate change and the need for future infrastructure improvements in urbanized areas to optimize resources.
Storm water systems face challenges due to increasing rainfall frequency.
The uncertainty of future rainfall makes designing infrastructure difficult.
Optimizing existing infrastructure and focusing on urbanized areas can be solutions.
00:34:04 An expert interview with Evan Pratt as part of the UMSI Water Theme Year.
📚 UMSI Water Theme Year interview with Evan Pratt.
🌊 Discussion on the importance of water conservation.
🔬 Exploration of water-related research and initiatives.
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