Water and wastewater infrastructure across the country is aging rapidly, with the need for repairs and upgrades far outpacing the pace of implementation. In the 1970’s, understanding the need for a nationwide investment in infrastructure, the federal government subsidized the construction of new water and wastewater infrastructure. That infrastructure has now reached its  end-of-useful life and repairs and upgrades are necessary, but communities face that cost without federal support. Beyond that significant challenge, communities in New England also continue to struggle with upgrading centuries old wastewater infrastructure like combined sewers that contribute to water quality issues in receiving waters during rainfall events that trigger combined sewer overflows (CSOs).  Add to that increased regulatory demand of stormwater permitting, stricter pollutant limits on nutrients, and the great regulatory unknown of emerging contaminants like PFAS and you suddenly have communities and districts facing billions of dollars and a long-term capital crisis.

While funding programs exist, securing adequate funding remains one of the greatest challenges facing utilities and municipalities today. Compounding this challenge is the fact that funding decisions are often based on early-stage, conceptual engineering cost estimates. As projects move through design, costs frequently escalate—sometimes dramatically—due to market conditions, contractor availability, evolving project scopes, regulatory requirements, and design refinements. These increases strain project budgets and erode confidence between engineers and their clients, as well as between utilities and the communities they serve.

This EBC Water Resources Committee webinar will explore the many infrastructure and regulatory demands facing communities as well as the drivers of cost escalation during the design process, including inflation and price volatility, construction market constraints, design changes, and scope additions. While price escalation cannot always be avoided, engineers and project teams can take proactive steps to better anticipate and communicate these changes.

Attendees will learn strategies for improving cost transparency, setting realistic expectations, and strengthening trust throughout the design and funding process, helping mitigate the impacts of escalating project costs and maintain confidence among all stakeholders.

General Continuing Education Certificates are awarded by the EBC for this program (2.0 training contact hours). Certificates are automatically provided via email link for registered attendees at the conclusion of the webinar.

Speaker Agenda:

Setting the Stage – “Story of New Bedford”

• Shawn Syde, PE, City Engineer, New Bedford

Permitting & Community Costs – How Regulations Increase Costs

• Fredric P. Andes, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg

What Can We Do About Changes in Project Costs Over Time?

• Brian Maksymetz, P. Eng., Collaborative Delivery Portfolio Manager, Jacobs

Moderated Discussion

Program Chairs:

• Andrea Braga, PE, CPESC, Chair, EBC Water Resources Committee; Principal Engineer | New England Water Department Leader, Jacobs
• Korrin Petersen, Of Counsel, Bowditch

Additional information can be found under the tabs above.