How going underground helps Valley infrastructure weather triple-digit temps

The importance of heat-resilient infrastructure goes beyond reliability. It’s about public safety and quality of life. When the framework holds up, the water keeps flowing and power stays on even during the hottest days of the year.”

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While Arizona’s extreme summer heat creates extreme discomfort for residents, there’s a bigger problem when it comes to high temperatures. As many people focus on rising power bills or heat-related health risks, an essential part of the story happens underground.

With temps regularly topping 110 degrees and more extreme heat expected, the pressure is on to ensure Arizona’s infrastructure performs as it should. Systems that are critical to daily life in the desert face intense stress from the environment.

From water lines and sewer systems to electrical conduits and storm drains, Arizona’s infrastructure must be designed, built and maintained to withstand prolonged exposure to heat.

Engineering for endurance

Building systems that perform reliably for decades in one of the nation’s hottest climates starts with smart material selection. Materials that work in cooler regions typically fail in our dry desert climate. Arizona’s infrastructure requires specialized coatings, joints and piping that can resist thermal expansion, cracking and corrosion caused by excessive heat.

Even underground, heat affects performance. Soil temperatures rise and impact flow rates, pressure and the integrity of surrounding materials. Infrastructure teams must account for these conditions early in the design process to prevent breakdowns and reinforce long-term reliability as summers grow hotter.

Protecting work crews is crucial, too

Building infrastructure is only one part of the job. Servicing infrastructure means sending crews outside to work in challenging and often dangerous conditions. Field safety must be the main priority.

Trenches, piping and equipment absorb and reflect heat, creating hazardous environments. To combat these conditions, job sites must be equipped with air-conditioned offices or trucks, and companies must provide frequent breaks and conduct mandatory heat illness training before summer officially begins.

Arizona’s skilled trades workforce makes this kind of work possible and protecting them is a responsibility everyone should take seriously. For example, my crews consume more than 2,000 gallons of water every three weeks during the summer months to stay hydrated.

Why we must build smarter

Extreme weather has become a standard part of life in the Southwest and forecast models show Arizona’s summers will continue to grow hotter and longer. That makes smart infrastructure more urgent than ever.

Cities and developers are investing in temperature-resistant upgrades, including advanced coatings and piping that are flexible with temperature changes. These improvements help avoid service disruptions, minimize costly repairs and extend system life spans. Developing smarter systems today safeguards Arizona’s residents tomorrow and makes for less hazardous work in the long run.

The importance of heat-resilient infrastructure goes beyond reliability. It’s about public safety and quality of life. When the framework holds up, the water keeps flowing and power stays on even during the hottest days of the year.

Sustainability starts below ground

As the size and number of data centers in the state increases, so do their resource demands. In Arizona, where water conservation is a high priority, developers are prioritizing solutions like closed-loop water systems, air-cooled chillers and recycled water integration. These features reduce pressure on municipal water supplies while maintaining the high performance that AI-driven workloads require.

Contractors play a key role in implementing these systems, working alongside engineers and environmental consultants to design infrastructure that supports enduring efficiency. That includes planning for future retrofits, using corrosion-resistant materials and ensuring compliance with Arizona’s evolving sustainability standards. These systems support Arizona’s future as a technology hub by balancing high performance with long-term environmental responsibility.

Behind the systems

The strength of our infrastructure comes from the skilled laborers who build and maintain it behind the scenes to keep Arizona’s systems running. They adapt to new standards, solve complex problems in the field and carry out work that most residents will never see, but will continue to reap the benefits of for years to come.

As Arizona endures another summer of record heat, we must continue to invest in infrastructure that stands up to the climate. The future of living and working here depends on what happens underground. With smart engineering and a dedicated workforce, we can make sure our infrastructure stays strong, no matter how high the temperature climbs.

Editor’s note: Andrew Goodwin is president of Phoenix-based Professional Piping Systems. He lives in Scottsdale. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.