Cheap pipes will cost communities over time

Republicans are walking tall these days, having earned that right after a victorious election cycle. Not only are we in control of the White House and Congress, but we have 68 out of 98 partisan state legislative chambers as well as both houses of legislatures and the governorship in 23 states. That's an electoral feat worth celebrating.

But we risk losing that control if we promote bad legislation. Bills that are harmful to voters will come back to haunt us come campaign season. That's why it was disheartening to see Republicans encouraging state lawmakers to support legislation that takes away local choice and risks squandering President Trump's commitment to improve our nation's infrastructure.

President Trump's promise to invest $1 trillion into our nation's infrastructure is very much needed. We have crumbling bridges and pock-marked roads and highways. We also have thousands of miles of buried water pipes that were laid down generations ago that need replacing. Last week, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt told the National League of Cities Conference that water infrastructure is as important as roads and bridges.

Some people look at that $1 trillion and see dollar signs for themselves. Others look and see opportunities for municipalities to make smart investments on materials that will be long lasting and durable. Water and wastewater systems are too often overlooked because they're buried and not something we see every day. Most people probably only think of their pipes or their community's pipes when one breaks.

As engineers know, not all pipes are equal. In fact, the kind of pipes that would benefit from the legislation that is popping up in states such as Michigan and Ohio have been proven to be less durable, less resilient and tend to break more easily under pressure – plastic PVC pipes. PVC is cheap, though, which is why backers of legislation to force municipalities to solely consider cost on the front-end of decision making are so desperate to pass those bills. When compared against strong, durable iron pipe, which has proven safe and effective for generations, the plastic pipes just don't match up. Iron pipe manufacturers have continued to innovate and the latest material – ductile iron pipe – is even better because of its strength and durability as well as its reputation for lasting for more than 150 years.