Engineers call for water/wastewater funding

In a recent statement, Patrick J. Natale, P.E., F.ASCE, CAE, executive director of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) said: Improvements to the nation's water and wastewater infrastructure have had an immeasurable impact on our health, safety and welfare. Unfortunately, 35 years after enactment of the Clean Water Act, commitment to maintaining this vital resource has dwindled. With an estimated funding gap of as much as $500 billion over the next 20 years, the nation is facing...

Sept. 20, 2007

2 min read

• American Society of Civil Engineers addresses clean water funding rally held by Environment and Public Works Committee Chair and Water Infrastructure Network

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 --

Following statement attributable to Patrick J. Natale, P.E., F.ASCE, CAE, executive director of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE):

Improvements to the nation's water and wastewater infrastructure have had an immeasurable impact on our health, safety and welfare. Unfortunately, 35 years after enactment of the Clean Water Act, commitment to maintaining this vital resource has dwindled. With an estimated funding gap of as much as $500 billion over the next 20 years, the nation is facing the very real possibility that we will wind up with a lesser water quality than existed prior to the Clean Water Act's passage in 1972.

That is unacceptable. This country has the economic strength and the technological know-how to solve this problem. All that is lacking is the political will to use them.

It is time that Congress hears our message -- we must renew federal investment in our nation's vital water and wastewater infrastructure, or risk reversing the public health, environmental and economic gains of the past three decades. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee needs to take a leadership role in this effort by renewing the authority of the State Revolving Loan Fund program; and they must act quickly, bringing a bill to the full Senate before the end of the year.

For more information on ASCE's Report Card for America's Infrastructure and Action Plan for the 110th Congress, visit: www.asce.org/reportcard.

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 140,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society.

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