In line with this month’s blog theme on water and wastewater, we’re sharing key insights from three Envision-awarded projects.

Sustainable infrastructure is no longer just an aspiration— it’s essential to the long-term viability of communities. Sustainable infrastructure includes renewing the assets that will provide critical services well into the future. Achieving this requires a holistic approach, recognizing and balancing many interconnected factors through a sustainable planning lens. The essence of sustainability lies in safeguarding an asset’s long-term viability while preserving resources and minimizing harm — striking a balance between interconnected trade-offs and benefits.

The Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework was tailor built for this purpose. Specifically, ISI’s framework is a decision-making tool and holistic system that helps project team  identify and track progress against the full range of sustainability indicators. Water and wastewater projects of every size frequently use Envision, so much so that this category makes up 40% of ISI’s portfolio of projects. The framework is effective for new facilities, as well as upgrading and replacing aging infrastructure, including drinking water systems, wastewater treatment plants, and stormwater conveyance systems. Often these projects are complex, yearslong undertakings involving numerous variables and potential impacts throughout design and construction. To navigate these challenges, project teams rely on proven tools to assess performance and set measurable goals for improvement. For many, Envision provides that structured approach.

Consider a hypothetical wastewater treatment plant project

Owner and project team focus: Enhancing treatment processes to remove emerging contaminants or to reduce nutrient discharges.

The goal of service reliability might lead to deeper discussions about capacity expansion — ensuring the system can accommodate population growth or increased demand, operational efficiencies, and long-term maintenance.