American Water is actively participating in Infrastructure Week 2015, May 11 to 15.
After working around the clock for more than 100 years, the nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure is aging and failing. In the U.S. today, a water main breaks every two minutes, and the American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that $4.8 trillion needs to be invested in water infrastructure over the next 20 years to maintain a state of good repair.
Infrastructure Week provides the industry with an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the nation’s critical need for investment in its water and wastewater systems, and the ways in which water providers and water-reliant businesses are rising to the challenge and creating solutions to help solve America’s infrastructure crisis. This is a chance for people to become more educated about the issues and the myriad ways water utility providers are working to ensure the quality water services Americans rely on for their homes and businesses and the continued health of our nation’s economy.
American Water will participate in the Infrastructure Week conversation through events, interviews and social media efforts. Aldie Warnock, senior vice president of external affairs, communications and public policy, will participate with other industry leaders in a panel discussion titled, “What's the Value of Water? The Pennsylvania Story,” on Thursday, May 14, at WHYY Studios in Philadelphia. The session will focus on the state of water infrastructure, water resources and investments in Philadelphia's and other water systems across the Keystone State, and how water infrastructure in this region compares to projects and strategies in other regions across the country.
American Water’s public-private partnership with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is also being featured in the Value of Water's (VOW) New Briefing Paper, The New Wave of Water Innovation. VOW is releasing the briefing paper spotlights solutions to the nation’s growing water challenges.
As a member of the Value of Water Coalition, American Water will also be sharing the organization’s activities and initiatives through social media channels and its weekly Dr. Water blog by Mark LeChevallier, director of innovation and environmental stewardship.
During Infrastructure Week 2015, more than 80 organizations are set to host dozens of events. Participants in Infrastructure Week events will range from Vice President Biden and cabinet secretaries to local city councilmembers, academics, utility groups and private sector partners, all coming together to raise awareness about the state of infrastructure in our country and highlight the need for investment.
Source: American Water