ABSTRACT
This chapter covers public works and transportation in today's cities. There are many different ways in which city infrastructure and transportation departments are organized. To illustrate the complexity of the physical infrastructure of cities, it examines the kinds of connections—pipes, wires, and other connections to utilities—that exist underground in cities. The age of water system infrastructure, including pipes, is often quite high in the oldest cities, and the infrastructure needs to be replaced. Challenges in water system infrastructure can include broken water mains, the need to replace old pipes before they break, and the need to adhere to new water safety standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Ecosystem services composed of trees on hills and natural vegetation on stream banks can also help by reducing erosion and, therefore, reducing sedimentation in water flows. Wastewater and stormwater systems are one part of the overall water cycle.
