Connecting North America and Europe – Leveraging our mutual strength
by William Busch, SR/WA
adapted from Right of Way 01-02/2014 (IRWA)
The thought of exporting and integrating our Association’s resources globally has economic and functional potential that is phenomenally exciting. As IRWA continues to expand its reach around the globe, the Association recently formalized a relationship with the Institute for Underground Infrastructure (IKT) in Germany, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between our two organizations. We have already found our relationship to be very useful, learning much from our exchange of best practices and webinar sessions, as well as from both in-person and virtual meetings.
Reaching out
It all started four years ago when I was working for the San Diego County Water Authority and found myself in need of some technical data regarding potential tree root damage to underground pipelines. While conducting some research for her master’s degree, my wife Marjorie Busch came across IKT and identified it as a potential information resource for me as well.