
Workers in West Seneca, New York, apply cementitious liners to manholes as part of the rehabilitation process.
"If only” is for wishful thinkers. As in, if only the sewer infrastructure weren’t so old. If only the water table were a little lower. If only Department of Environmental Conservation officials weren’t so conscientious.
Alas, such idle wishing is all for naught in places like West Seneca, New York, where each of the above factors came into play in 2004. That year, the state environmental patrol rode into town with a consent order — amended twice since — calling for the...