Why water infrastructure investment is needed in the US

Crucial to the nation

Water infrastructure investment is of such importance to Kansas City, Mo., Councilwoman Jan Marcason that in a hearing before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, she outlined why water management played such a crucial role in towns and cities.

Arguing how sufficient investment can create jobs, protect the environment and improve the quality of life for all, Marcason said, "The availability of clean water is the backbone of a modern society and a livable community, and the nation's water infrastructure systems are significant assets that protect public health, as well as the nation's precious water resources."

"(If) America's water infrastructure is properly maintained and can adequately meet the needs of our communities, it will help ensure the long-term vitality of our communities.

Water infrastructure, as well as other systems, she argued can "create good paying jobs in our communities that are an essential component to a thriving economy".

"Improving the infrastructure systems to protect our public health and promote our local economies requires substantial investment," Marcason added.

An expensive but vital resource

In 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Watershed Needs Survey reported that the wastewater and stormwater management needs for the nation were nearly $300 billion. Broken down, this amount included $192.2 billion for wastewater treatment plants, pipe repairs, and buying and installing new pipes; $63.6 billion for combined sewer overflow correction; and $42.3 billion for stormwater management.

As it is such an expensive but necessary resource, Marcason called on Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) program, an essential tool for providing clean water.

In Kansas, the water program, which costs $2.5 billion, is largest economic development project in the city's history and aims to improve the city's water quality.

Currently Kansas City's innovative and ambitious Overflow Control Plan (OCP) calls for overhauling the sewer system and implementing green infrastructure solutions such as rain gardens and bio-retention facilities to intercept, store and infiltrate stormwater runoff, thereby significantly reducing discharges of untreated sewage that overflows into nearby lakes, streams and rivers.

It is hoped that the project will create nearly 20,000 jobs and be a cost-effective approach to addressing their aging infrastructure, as the green infrastructure solutions will reduce the cost of implementing the OCP.

On part of the scheme sees a "Target Green" pilot project area implemented in 100 acres, which will see the city save an estimated $10 million by implementing green solutions instead of the traditional retention tanks that were first proposed to address stormwater runoff.

"Kansas City's commitment to green infrastructure provides for the triple bottom line: creating economic, environmental and social benefits that make the city a better place to live and work," concluded Marcason, who is a member of NLC's Energy, Environment and Natural Resources steering committee.

The NLC is responsible for developing policy on issues such as air quality, water quality, energy policy, national wetlands policy, noise control and solid and hazardous waste management.

Read the full testimony here.

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