Trenchless Technology: A New Way to Install and Renew Utilities

Mike Blanford
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Installing effective utilities infrastructure is an essential practice that enables, sustains, and enhances the living conditions in communities. Utilities that support housing include water supply, sewers/ stormwater management, electrical grids, fuel for heating and cooking, and telecommunications. Housing would not be as useful without the necessary utilities to support it. The trenchless industry offers new technologies that help mitigate the cost, enhance safety, limit effects, and speed the installation of utilities. In this article, we discuss how this invention supports the goal of promoting resiliency without sacrificing affordability.