With water infrastructure decaying and threatening clean water in cities nationwide, American Rivers released a report, “Drinking Water Infrastructure: Who Pays and How,” to help water, community and taxpayer advocates better understand how water utilities finance new infrastructure projects. The report provides important and timely information because without smart strategies for updating or replacing outdated water infrastructure, water quality and river health will continue to decline, and cities will face increasing challenges to provide water services at affordable rates.
Preserving healthy flows in rivers while ensuring safe, adequate water supplies for the future will pose difficult choices, and require innovative solutions. The report is a call to action for advocates as they engage with drinking water utilities, city councils that set water rates, and the State Revolving Fund administrators that help to finance 21st century water infrastructure.
Drinking water infrastructure in the United States received a “D” grade in the 2013 report card on America’s infrastructure by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The American Water Works Assn. estimates that replacing pipes in the roughly 240,000 water main breaks that occur in the United States every year would cost more than $1 trillion over the coming decades.
“From leaky pipes to sewage overflows, our country’s water infrastructure is in dire need of upgrades. Our outdated infrastructure cannot keep pace with changing demand for water and wastewater treatment, growing population and increasingly heavy storms,” said Jeff Odefey, director of storm water programs for American Rivers.
“We need to make infrastructure investments that will best meet the needs of present and future generations. This report helps community and water advocates understand not only how to be more effective opponents of destructive and bloated infrastructure projects, but also how to be more effective proponents of cost-effective modern water infrastructure solutions that support river health,” said Odefey.
“Clean water doesn’t come free—it requires continuous investment in our most critical infrastructure. Community advocates need to help their political leaders make smart decisions on how to invest in water systems that best serve their needs,” said Sharlene Leurig, senior manager with the Ceres Water Program, who contributed to the report. “This guide is an essential resource for advocates working in their communities to ensure that water is provided equitably and sustainably, for present and future generations.”
The report is available at www.americanrivers.org/advocateguide
Source: American Rivers
