Research & Resources
Understand the data behind the affordability crisis, environmental challenges, and the opportunity for lower-loss infrastructure systems.
The Data Behind the Challenge
Understanding the scale of hidden losses in infrastructure systems makes the case for change.
The Affordability Crisis
Water/Sewer/Sanitation Inflation
4.7% annually (vs. 2.4% overall inflation)
Driven by hidden system losses
Electricity Costs
$0.1252/kWh (2014) → $0.1648/kWh (2024)
31.6% increase in 10 years
Natural Gas Costs
$10.78 → $14.50 per thousand cu. ft.
34.5% increase in 4 years
Households Without Affordable Water
12-19.2 million U.S. households
EPA threshold: 3-4.5% of income
Infrastructure Investment
Water/Wastewater Need
$1.255 trillion over 20 years
$62.8 billion annually before inflation
Water Delivery Need
67.7% in distribution/transmission
Joints and connections are critical
Winter Water-Main Breaks
60% increase during cold weather (WSSC)
Waterbury, CT (2025): $33.7M repairs
Gas System Risk
6,300 incidents (2012-2021): 112 deaths, $2B+
Connection failures drive major incidents
Climate & Environmental Context
Amazon Deforestation
17% forest loss in 50 years
Accelerating toward tipping point. System inefficiency contributes to pressure on remaining forest.
Western Water Crisis
18% snowpack coverage vs. historical
California water stress drives agricultural and settlement challenges. Better conveyance is climate adaptation.
Coastal Adaptation
Rising seas, intensifying storms
Infrastructure must adapt to saltwater, higher pressure, and extreme events. Non-porous systems are essential.
Key Insights
The research shows consistent patterns in how lower-loss infrastructure creates value.
1. Affordability Drives Adoption
Utilities and municipalities prioritize solutions that reduce cost and improve reliability. Lower-loss infrastructure delivers both immediately (faster installations) and long-term (lifecycle cost reduction). The business case is strong enough to overcome incumbent technology inertia.
2. Standards Create Markets
Clear specifications and performance requirements attract capital and innovation. When municipalities adopt lifecycle-cost procurement, manufacturers respond with products designed for durability. Standards matter more than subsidies for scale.
3. Workforce Development Is Adoption Infrastructure
Successful adoption requires labor market alignment. Workers trained in new standards become advocates. Certification increases quality and reduces rework. Career pathways attract skilled people. Labor-management collaboration accelerates transition.
4. Environmental Impact Is Measurable
Water conservation, emissions reduction, and maintenance burden reduction are directly quantifiable. Utilities documenting these metrics gain public and political support for ongoing investment. Measurement enables continuous improvement.
5. Connection Points Are Where Systems Fail
Most major infrastructure incidents (gas explosions, water main failures) originate at joints and connections. Verification and integrity at these points is not a luxury—it's a safety and resilience imperative. Better connection systems are among the highest-ROI infrastructure improvements.
Thought Leadership
How Oil Will Save the Earth
A comprehensive exploration of how established oil- and carbon-based products can accelerate the transition to greener materials, greener technologies, and a lower-waste world.
By Abel Jiménez, founder of SolidMelt. This research-driven book bridges the gap between today's infrastructure reality and tomorrow's lower-loss systems. It covers:
- ✓ The affordability crisis in water, energy, and essential services
- ✓ How hidden infrastructure losses drive cascading costs
- ✓ Real-world case studies from municipalities and utilities
- ✓ The systems approach to lower-loss infrastructure
- ✓ Workforce development and market transformation strategies
Research Scope
16 Chapters
+ Introduction, Epilogue, and References covering infrastructure economics, climate adaptation, and workforce development
Key Focus Areas
The Challenge: Affordability crisis in essential services
The Opportunity: Lower-loss infrastructure transition
The Solution: Systems approach combining materials, verification, procurement, and workforce
Perfect for: Municipal leaders, utility executives, infrastructure professionals, researchers, and policymakers.
This is not a product manual—it's a transition argument backed by field data, economic analysis, and real-world examples.
Recommended Reading
Key resources on infrastructure, affordability, climate adaptation, and workforce development.
- EPA Water Infrastructure Report
"Progress Toward Restoring America's Waters." Comprehensive data on water/wastewater financing and infrastructure challenges.
- NTSB Pipeline Safety Report
"Most Wanted: Pipeline and LNG Safety." Analysis of connection failures in natural gas systems and recommended improvements.
- World Bank Water Security Report
Infrastructure resilience and climate adaptation in water systems. Case studies from regions managing scarcity.
- AWWA Standards & Workforce Development
Research and standards on water system infrastructure, operator certification, and workforce development programs.
- Water Environment Federation (WEF) Resources
Technical resources, standards, and best practices for water and wastewater systems globally.
- International Water Association (IWA) Publications
Global research on water infrastructure innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable systems.
- ASCE Infrastructure Standards & Reports
Engineering standards, infrastructure condition assessments, and climate resilience guidance for water systems.
- US Geological Survey Water Resources
Scientific data and research on water availability, quality, and climate impacts on water systems.
- CDC Water Quality and Public Health
Guidelines on water safety, quality standards, and public health protections in municipal water systems.
- U.S. Conference of Mayors Infrastructure Initiative
Municipal leadership on infrastructure challenges, including water affordability and resilience planning.
Want to Dive Deeper?
We have additional research, case studies, and pilot results to share. Let's discuss how lower-loss infrastructure can address your specific challenges.