Development doesn't happen in isolation, and neither does its effect on wastewater infrastructure. As new construction accelerates across growing service areas, the ripple effects move in both directions. Upstream development can push added flow and pressure onto downstream systems that were never sized for it, while downstream development can just as easily create bottlenecks that back up into upstream infrastructure, disrupting systems far from the original point of construction.
This session takes a wastewater perspective on the practical challenges municipalities and utilities are facing as large-scale development reshapes service areas:
• How rapid, large-scale development is straining capacity across entire watersheds and service networks
• Why existing installations, once adequate, are becoming redundant as demand and density shift
• What retrofit obligations look like for property owners and how those changes ripple through connected infrastructure
• How backpressure and capacity issues emerge when upstream and downstream growth aren't planned in coordination
The aim of this meeting will be to begin a discussion between those present about possible measures which could be taken to address the consequences of this phenomenon. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how interconnected development pressures are reshaping wastewater planning, and what to watch for as growth continues to outpace existing infrastructure.
Guy de Havillande has over 30 years of experience in Asset Management and Construction for investment funds in Single Family and Multi-family real estate portfolios.
Having overseen and grown portfolios under his management to exceed $2bn in value, he has established over his career a reputation as a highly skilled team builder, motivator, and driver of performance and excellence.
Having worked in all aspects of the industry in the UK, France, Switzerland, Monaco, and the US, he was brought into AQUALIS to bring his experience in running teams across multiple states to scale efficient field execution and operations in the lift station division of AQUALIS.
Having also served as an independent advisor to the Mayor of London on affordable housing policy, Guy has a keen interest on political and regulatory ramifications to all aspects of housing and infrastructure.
This background is the motivator to the direction of today’s session. Guy will be adopting a slightly different format to recent events, and aims to guide this session into a brainstorming exchange of ideas amongst industry professionals present at this meeting. His hope is that all present will join in as a de facto think tank, discussing one of the most prevalent issues in today’s world. His message is simple here, there are no right or wrong answers here, he wants opinions on what is definitely a challenging dimension to the industry.
