Water Online the Magazine gives Water & Wastewater Engineers and end-users a venue to find project solutions and source valuable product information. We aim to educate the engineering and operations community on important issues and trends.
Issue link: http://wateronline.epubxp.com/i/129556
Analysis without a substantial federal investment to get off the ground. It cannot. But if WIFIA duplicates the 10-to-1 leverage ratio currently enjoyed by TIFIA — where $1 in subsidy appropriation supports $10 worth of credit assistance — then a relatively small outlay of federal monies can support a substantial number of water infrastructure projects across the country. Factor in the jobcreating and economy-stimulating benefits of water infrastructure investments (Each dollar of water and wastewater infrastructure investment increases America's GDP by $6.35, and that each new job in the water and wastewater industry creates 3.68 additional jobs in the national economy.10) and the deal only gets better. These are just a few of the many reasons WIFIA offers the right approach to addressing our nation's water infrastructure needs. Fortunately, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are starting to pay attention. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee included a pilot version of WIFIA in a water resources bill it approved earlier this year, and more and more elected representatives are speaking out in favor of the concept. Oregon Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, an early WIFIA backer, has argued that it could save money for community residents and businesses while creating local construction jobs. This combination of sobering data, workable solutions, and congressional support has created some real momentum for WIFIA in Washington. Establishing a new Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act would represent a victory for America's communities and help ensure the reliability of the nation's water and wastewater infrastructure for generations to come. It is an opportunity we cannot let slip down the drain. 1 Xylem Inc. (formerly ITT Corporation), "ITT's Value of Water Survey reveals that Americans are ready to fix our nation's crumbling water infrastructure," October 27, 2010. 2 American Water Works Association, Buried No Longer: Confronting America's Water Infrastructure Challenge, February 27, 2012. 3 U.S. EPA's 2007 Drinking Water Needs Survey estimates that drinking water infrastructure requires $334.8 billion over 20 years; EPA's 2008 Clean Water Needs Survey puts the number at $298.1 billion for wastewater infrastructure. 4 United States Conference of Mayors, "Mayors Water Infrastructure Report Shows Investment Yields High Returns," August 14, 2008. 5 Testimony of Cynthia Dougherty, Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Before the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee, U.S. House of Representatives, May 13, 2010. 6 U.S. EPA, Annual U.S. Drinking Water SRF Assistance by Community Size Category, November 9, 2010. 7 U.S. EPA, Fiscal Year 2010 Drinking Water and Ground Water Statistics, June 2011, Updated February 2012. 8 U.S. EPA, November 9, 2010. 9 Mark Kellett and Lisa Casseres, Financing Water Infrastructure," American Water Works Association, 2009. 10 United States Conference of Mayors, August 14, 2008. Dan Hartnett is the Director of Legislative Affairs at the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), an organization representing the nation's largest publicly owned drinking water systems. Prior to joining AMWA, Dan worked as a legislative assistant for Representative Rob Simmons of Connecticut. FEED IT! Constructed of stainless steel and available with a wide range of options; The Eagle Microsystems VF-100 Dry Chemical Feeder is isit us at! V 13 a rugged, ACE 20 2076 #1 th versatile, Boo and simple solution to your process needs! Features: res: •Stainless-Steel Construction •Multiple Feed Rates •Electronic Speed Control •Low Maintenance •Wide Range of Options •Two Year Warranty More Eagle Products •chlorination equipment •scales Your Source for Precision Process Solutions! 800•780•8636 EagleMicrosystems.com wateronline.com ■ Water Online The Magazine 33