The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its “Infrastructure Game Changers” report last week in the nation’s capital, spotlighting projects across water, surface transportation, freight and more. Several Value of Water Coalition members were commended for water projects that are forging the way for partnerships, sustainability, environmental stewardship, cost and energy savings and more.
DC Water, Philadelphia Water, LA Sanitation and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) were all featured in ASCE’s report as well as two American Water projects. All are members of the Value of Water Coalition.
“I am thrilled but not surprised to see so many Value of Water Coalition partners in the spotlight for their vision and innovation in the water industry. Water providers across the country are stepping up and pursuing creative means for solving some of our most challenging problems," said Radhika Fox, director of the Value of Water Coalition. "Cities like Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles have to deal with changing weather patterns, storms, droughts, growing populations all on top of often old and outdated water systems. We have to innovate so we can continue to bring clean, safe, reliable water service to communities now and in the future and our Coalition partners are truly game changers in their regions and a model for the nation.”
“Civil engineers are by nature problem solvers,” said Robert D. Stevens, PhD, P.E., president of ASCE. “There are a lot of innovative ideas coming to fruition that can modernize our nation’s infrastructure. However, these game changers will only become the norm if we seize the opportunity and invest, not just be satisfied with maintaining the status quo.”
DC Water and Philadelphia Water were recognized for using solid waste as an energy source for treating water and running their operations. DC Water was also lauded for its massive underground tunnel project designed to reduce untreated water runoff from flowing into local rivers. LA Sanitation was recognized for water recycling, a critical issue in water-starved Southern California. MWRD was also recognized for an innovative water capture and reuse project. Value of Water Coalition member American Water is partnering with MWRD on its reclamation project and operates the U.S.’s largest seawater desalination plant in Tampa Bay, which was also featured as a game changer in the ASCE report.
Source: Value of Water Coalition
