With the latest results from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Report Card for America’s Infrastructure released earlier this month, it is clear that our country needs to increase investments in our country’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
Published every four years since 2001, this year ASCE has given the country’s drinking water systems a C- and sewage systems a D + mark, which is one of the worst conditions of the categories of infrastructure systems examined. These qualities don’t bode well for improving the resilience of the country’s water system in terms of health, safety, and support for the local economy. However, the conditions of the Pennsylvania American Water infrastructure exceed the ratings provided by ASCE as a result of continuous investment in our systems.
Last year, Pennsylvania American Water invested over $ 192 million to install or rehabilitate more than 126 miles of water and sewer services. We have also upgraded water treatment processes, equipment, safety and technology to meet drinking water standards and improve system reliability and stability, and have installed or replaced thousands of hydrants, valves, service lines and water meters across the Commonwealth. Overall, we invested more than $ 400 million in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Similar investments are needed across the country as critical infrastructure reaches the end of its useful life and water quality standards tighten. If investments are delayed, water quality and service reliability can be compromised, potentially affecting fire safety, economic development and public health. Unfortunately, some municipalities are unable to maintain the level of investment required to significantly improve the quality and reliability of the infrastructure.
Critical maintenance and replacement of the country’s obsolete water systems will cost at least $ 1 trillion over the next 25 years, according to estimates by the water industry’s largest nonprofit.
Perhaps the ultimate value of the ASCE report card is to alert our customers to the critical nature of these issues and to let them know that they are already playing an important role in system refresh and future reliability by simply paying their water bills. By supporting capital improvements, customers and Pennsylvania American Water work together to keep water flowing now and into the future.
Communities that already have solid infrastructure in place are also better able to cope with growth and attract new businesses. In 2021, Pennsylvania American Water expects to invest over $ 380 million in improving the water and wastewater infrastructure in its Pennsylvania service areas.
While much work remains to be done to improve the level of aging water infrastructure in the country, the realization that a healthy water system really promotes economic vitality, ensures public health and protects our environment can drive future results in our state and just improve across the country. We are committed to the communities we serve.
Mike Doran is President of Pennsylvania American Water, the state’s largest water and wastewater company. Its territory includes the area of Ellwood City.
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