Why should collections system designs consider future growth?

A collections system must be designed with future growth in mind primarily to ensure that it has the adequate capacity and functionality needed as populations and industries expand. As areas develop and populations increase, the demand on the collections system will also rise. This can include higher volumes of inflow or the need to service additional areas and businesses.

By considering future growth in the design phase, engineers can implement solutions that allow for scalability. This includes factors such as larger pipes, advanced pumping systems, and the ability to incorporate additional technologies that can manage these increased demands efficiently. Ensuring that a collections system can adapt to future population growth not only enhances its effectiveness but also supports public health and safety by preventing overflows, backups, and other issues associated with inadequate capacity.

While the other options have merit, they do not directly address the fundamental reason for planning around future growth in a collections system context. For example, maintaining low costs is important, but it should not outweigh the need for adequate capacity. Similarly, keeping up with technology and aesthetic concerns, while valuable, do not take precedence over the primary operational function of the system to effectively manage increased loads and service demands that arise from growing communities.