Whether it’s water conservation to deal with drought conditions in the Western states or water contamination issues in areas such as Flint, Mich., the topic of water seems to be on many people’s minds.

Part of the problem comes from our country’s aging water infrastructure. In 2013, the American Society of Civil Engineers in its Report Card on America’s Infrastructure gave the nation’s potable water and sewage infrastructure a barely passing grade of D, saying an estimated 240,000 water-main breaks occur each year. Many city water systems are relying on delivery systems and treatment technology dating back before World War 1 — including wood water pipe from the late 19th century.