water infrastructure | 2013 Report Card for America's Infrastructure

Transit and Water Needs Capture Media Attention

September 25th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

With the Pope making his way across our northeastern cities, the topic of traffic congestion was a popular one, highlighting our nation’s transportation needs. The Onion even joked that the Pope even tried to improve the nation’s ailing infrastructure. While not directly related to the Pope’s visit, this week in D.C., the subway system suffered an electrical fire and outage, resulting in the evacuation of passengers and extreme delays. While traffic increases are predictable during major events, our existing transit systems should be able to handle increased ridership without breaking down. Fortunately, the number of recent incidents in the D.C. subway system have prompted the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to approve a correction action plan to make the system more reliable. Water infrastructure needs have been gaining more spotlight lately due to increased media attention. In Iowa, Des Moines Water Works, which is critical to providing water for to the Central Iowa region, is showing signs of aging and is in great need of repair. “We’re reaching the end of the life cycle of some of the most critical assets we’ve got,” said Bill Stowe, CEO and general manager of the utility. Water infrastructure needs are also evident in New Hampshire, where the cost needed to repair aging systems, including pipes and treatment plants, could be as much as $1 trillion. In response to these needs, water providers, agencies, utilities, elected officials, corporations and environmental advocates across the country are joining together to educate the public about the challenges facing water and wastewater systems, and the need for investment. A nationwide event, Imagine a Day Without Water, will be held Oct. 6-8 in events across the country to emphasize how essential water is and the importance of maintaining water and wastewater infrastructure. Meanwhile, additional states are taking action to repair their surface transportation infrastructure. Tennessee, Texas, New Jersey, Oregon and Alaska are considering raising their state gas tax, among other options, to fund their transportation. Whether it’s improving transit, maintaining water infrastructure or re-paving our roads, federal funding is essential. As we await the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s mark-up of its multi-year surface transportation bill, write your members of Congress and urge them to pass a long-term transportation bill by the October 29 deadline.

1 Comment »

The High Cost of Underinvestment

September 4th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

It’s the last (unofficial) weekend of summer, and the Labor Day holiday traffic tends to shine a spotlight on the need to improve our transportation infrastructure. With Congress back in session on Tuesday, hopefully they take note of the ways our aging transportation network is holding us back. A predicted 35.5 million U.S. residents will travel at least 50 miles away from home over this weekend, according to AAA. While that’s the highest number seen since 2008, U.S. Travel found in a new survey that the hassles caused by failing surface and air travel infrastructure will keep 4.1 million potential travelers at home—costing the economy $1.4 billion in spending. This research again proves that our economy suffers when we do not make the investment in our infrastructure. In Washington State, Representative Rick Larson, joined commuters on public transit to see for himself how exasperating the morning commute is. As a senior member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Larson is a leader in getting his fellow U.S. representatives to pass a long-term transportation bill this fall. Roads, bridges, and transit are not the only sectors of infrastructure that need investment; water infrastructure, including underground pipes and locks, are also in need of modernization. In Michigan, the recent shutdowns of one of the Soo Locks—a crucial passageway for nine million metric tons of a freight a month—exemplify how important projects are currently sidelined due to a dearth in funding. During the 20-day period that the 73-year-old MacArthur Lock was closed for repairs by the Army Corps of Engineers, more than 100 vessels — carrying iron ore, coal, grain and more — were delayed at least 166 hours. Out of Vermont is another story demonstrating the side effects of underinvestment in underground water infrastructure. The pipes that are failing range between 40 and130 years old, ass all are reaching the end of their useful design lives simultaneously. Jeff Wennberg of Rutland Public Works, responded to these infrastructure needs by pointing to the funding issue, “There’s no problem here with any of this infrastructure that can’t be fixed. It can all be fixed. The question is, who is going to pay for it and how soon?” While infrastructure needs may vary across the nation, the source of funding remains the biggest obstacle. In a recent poll conducted by the Mineta Transportation Institute, 61 percent of U.S. residents would support a 10-cent increase in the 18.4 cents-per-gallon gas tax if it is dedicated to transportation projects. As Congress returns to Washington tasked with finding three more years of funding for the DRIVE Act, and passing the bill through the House, hopefully this poll research will encourage them to find the political will to raise the gas tax as a way to #FixTheTrustFund.

No Comments »

Water main breaks, power outage and a thinning hourglass for federal highway funds

April 10th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

Water main breaks, potholes and power outages are all results of underinvestment in infrastructure. Infrastructure is interconnected and greatly impacts our daily lives and national economy. The highway and transit policy and expires 51 days from today so it is critical that Congress act quickly to find a sustainable, long-term funding solution. Aging water infrastructure causes a water main break once every two minutes. On Wednesday, a 12-inch water main broke in New York City, forcing the evacuation of 500 people from a train and shutting down the surrounding trains and streets in the process. In California, the current water shortage crisis due to drought will require the state to spend $39 billion to meet its population’s drinking and, dry weather and a large population, means that they need to spend $39 billion to meet its population’s drinking water needs. Water infrastructure, including locks and dams, are critical to facilitating trade. According to the National Journal, more than $200 billion worth of goods are shipped every year on massive barges crawling along major rivers and tributaries. But the aging locks and dams built nearly a century ago are hindering ships’ ability to transport goods efficiently. “Just imagine what that does for commerce—if you’re shipping a product down the river and it just stops,” ASCE Past President Greg DiLoreto said. “There’s a real economic tie to the condition of this infrastructure.” In addition to water infrastructure, electric infrastructure also needs maintenance and attention. On Tuesday, a widespread power outage in D.C. and the surrounding area affected many government buildings, four surrounding museums and select subway stations. Water and electricity infrastructure are crucial to our nation’s economy and trade and impact the daily life of all Americans. The highway and transit policy expires in less than two months. It is important that Congress work together to pass legislation to provide a sustainable, long-term funding solution to #FixTheTrustFund.

Tags: highway trust fund, water infrastructure
No Comments »

Budgets Represent Priorities

March 19th, 2015 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card

GOP Budget FY16

This week the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate majorities unveiled their fiscal year 2016 (FY16) budgets. Traditionally, passing a budget in Congress is a particularly partisan endeavor with most all members in the majority voting in favor of their budget, and all the minority members voting against it. Should this Congress pass a budget in the coming weeks, it will not have to go to President Obama for his signature as budgets are self-imposed restrictions on Congressional spending. However, occasionally Congress has increased funding levels for certain programs despite the budget instructing them not to do so. These proposals offer some insight into what transportation funding levels might look like in the coming year. Disappointing for transportation was that both the House and Senate budgets assumed that road, bridge and transit spending would be limited to incoming revenues to the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF). This is a problem as the HTF has been facing fiscal pressure over the years and is forecast to require $13 billion in additional revenues in FY16 just to maintain current spending levels. Which is why ASCE supported a House Budget Committee amendment by Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL) that would have maintained current spending levels for surface transportation. Unfortunately, the amendment failed in committee by a vote of 14-22. Better for transportation in the House and Senate budgets is the creation of what is known as a “reserve fund” for the HTF, which would allow the tax committees to determine how best to fill the trust fund hole in a way that is deficit-neutral. These ways could include raising taxes (including the federal gasoline tax), cutting spending, or transferring other government funds to transportation. ASCE called for and supported the creation of this HTF reserve fund, however in order to increase spending for other infrastructure sectors, like water, dams and levees, a broader Infrastructure Reserve Fund is also needed. Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced such an amendment in committee, which ASCE supported, but unfortunately that too was defeated on a party-line vote. Earlier this year, ASCE endorsed legislation introduced by Senator Sanders that would increase funding for our nation’s transportation, water and other infrastructure sectors. The Senator is expected to offer other infrastructure-related amendments on the Senate floor when the budget is up for a vote there next week. The debate over the last few days on the budget has crystallized one key fact on transportation spending: the vast majority in Congress believe that we should be investing more in transportation but there is not yet widespread bipartisan consensus on exactly how to pay for it. ASCE needs your help to tell Congress to work quickly to identify a long-term, sustainable funding solution that would #FixTheTrustFund before the legislative deadline of May 31, 2015.

Tags: congress, highway trust fund, infrastructure, transportation, water infrastructure
No Comments »

This Week in Infrastructure: Water Infrastructure Incurs More Attention

March 13th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

Amidst the visible need for highway, bridge and pothole repairs, we often forget the growing needs of our nation’s water infrastructure. According to ASCE’s Report Card, there are 240,000 water main breaks per year and trillions of gallons of water are lost each year due to “leaky pipes, broken water mains and faulty meters.” Cities throughout the nation, including Toledo and Philadelphia, are dealing with water main breaks and struggling to pay for the upkeep and improvements of their water infrastructure. In the past 30 years, Philadelphia has had between 439 and 1,316 water main breaks per year. These types of water issues underscore the need for significant investment. To combat this growing problem, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) established the Global Smart Cities Challenge, which will showcase wireless networks’ ability to power every day solutions for large utility problems. Using wireless sensor technology, water utilities can proactively locate and fix leaks, monitor decreases or increases in water pressure and monitor video feeds which ensure security for critical water distribution infrastructure. In addition to drinking and wastewater infrastructure, America’s waterways are also in need of investment and maintenance. Waterways Council Inc. (WCI), a group that advocates for modernizing the national system of ports and inland waterways, is pushing for more federal funding for the Army Corps of Engineers, which is chiefly responsible for building and maintaining water infrastructure. In a letter they sent to the House and Senate, WCI and more than 40 organizations advocated for increased funding to address maritime transportation emphasizing that, “we must maintain our navigation channels and inland waterways for safe and efficient freight.” WCI and other inland waterways stakeholders are hoping for successful allocation of WRRDA funding and sound use of the increased revenue to the trust fund. Ultimately, water infrastructure needs just as much attention as our transportation infrastructure. Nevertheless, it is still critical that Congress work quickly to pass legislation to provide a sustainable, long-term funding solution to #FixTheTrustFund.

Tags: Drinking Water, water infrastructure, water resources development act, waterways
No Comments »

This Week in Infrastructure: State Solutions, Innovations for Infrastructure Improvement

February 20th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

Photo Credit: Frederick Dennstedt

A bus tour sharing the message we need to invest in infrastructure to “Grow America”, increased momentum towards state-level gas tax increases and new transportation innovations are all building momentum towards improving our nation’s infrastructure. On Wednesday morning in Los Angeles a water main broke that was installed in 1926, causing flooding and damage to nearby buildings and roads. According to The Times’ analysis of LA Department of Water and Power (DWP) data, Los Angeles’ system of water pipes has averaged nearly 1,200 leaks a year since 2010, and water main leaks and breaks occur on average about three times a day across the city. Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently returned from a tour through five states to promote the Grow America Act, which would invest $478 billion in infrastructure across the nation. It would be partly paid for through a one-time tax on currently untaxed corporate earnings, is considered by Biden and Foxx to be a bipartisan funding initiative and critical to economic growth and job creation. In absence of federal funding solutions, many states have come up with innovative ways to fund local transportation infrastructure. Aside from raising state gas taxes, which Iowa and Utah legislatures are in the process of doing, there have been innovative technologies to help improve safety and make trips easier. For example, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has created an app that would assist the visually impaired to get around the city by navigating them and helping them avoid construction sites, as many are left to navigate the cities by foot due to lack of sufficient transit[MB1] In Los Angeles, a new app was launched to allow riders to pay for the commuter buses via their mobile phones with the aim of promoting more ridership on public transit. Regardless of innovative transportation improvements and state gas taxes, The Highway Trust Fund is headed towards insolvency in a matter of months. It’s imperative that members of Congress work together to pass legislation that will provide a sustainable, long-term funding solution to #FixTheTrustFund.

Tags: gas tax, highway trust fund, water infrastructure
No Comments »

This Week in Infrastructure: The Cascading Effect of Aging Infrastructure

December 19th, 2014 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

Photo credit: SnaPsi Сталкер

As the weather changes and our infrastructure continues to be neglected, issues and disruptions are increasing. Infrastructure collapses, like the water main break in DC, remind us that failing infrastructure is fragile and unpredictable—and should be continuously maintained to help prevent a crisis. On Tuesday in Washington, D.C., a 12-inch water main ruptured below ground, flooding three subway lines and damaging the streets above it. According to DC Water, the pipe was 61 years old, a relatively young pipe among a system with a median age of 79 years. Some pipes in the system even date back to the Civil War era. DC’s drinking water infrastructure requires $1.6 billion in upgrades over the next 20 years and the sewer system needs $2.5 billion in fixes. There are 240,000 water main breaks per year and one every two minutes in the United States because of aging pipes. The DC water main break, which affected both the metro rails and streets above, shows the domino effect of one piece of infrastructure’s impact on others. DC is not the only place where aging infrastructure has shouted for investments. This week, the Nevada Section of ASCE released its state Report Card, where the overall grade was a C-. The report points to the state’s great transportation and infrastructure needs to be discussed in next year’s legislation session. In an op-ed piece from Vermont, the author called for stronger dam legislation, citing the Report Card for Vermont’s Infrastructure’s data. Due to increasing visible need for infrastructure repair, more and more states are taking action to fund infrastructure projects through various measures. In Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee unveiled a 12-year, $12 billion transportation proposal, which would be paid for with fees and a new carbon pollution charge. States like Michigan, Tennessee and North Carolina are also pushing for transportation funding at the state level. Though action on the state level to increase infrastructure funds is encouraging, the best thing for our nation and our economy is to fix the Highway Trust Fund and increase the national gas tax to match inflation.

Tags: dams, highway trust fund, infrastructure, infrastructure report card, state report cards, water, water infrastructure
No Comments »

This Week in Infrastructure: Getting Infrastructure Projects Moving Through the Ballot Box

November 1st, 2014 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

With Election Day around the corner, ballot initiatives related to infrastructure will give voters a chance to help shape our nation’s future. The economic, environmental and public safety issues on each state’s ballots underscore ASCE’s strategic initiative: improving our nation’s infrastructure. Infrastructure is the backbone of our economy. The roads and bridges we drive on, the water we drink, the schools we attend and the power systems we rely on are aging badly and in need of repair. ASCE’s 2013 Report Card shows that our nation’s backbone—infrastructure—is in serious need of investment to bring it into good condition. In The Huffington Post blog, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance wrote, “Without a world-class infrastructure, we will not be able to compete in the global marketplace. Resilient infrastructure systems mean we can keep our communities healthy and safe. And, fixing and modernizing these systems is an economic opportunity we cannot afford to pass up.” As this blog illustrates, clearly more advocacy groups realize the domino effect that failing infrastructure has on our nation’s economy and the welfare of all Americans. Without infrastructure in a state of good repair, our nation’s most essential resources are at serious risk. NPR recently exposed how much water is currently being wasted as a result of aging infrastructure. According to NPR, researchers have estimated aging pipes, broken water mains and faulty meters have resulted in enough wasted drinking water to rise 300 feet above Manhattan. And the American Water Works Association added, “nationwide, the amount of water that is lost each year is estimated to top 2 trillion gallons.” According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), every year we lose enough water due to aging infrastructure to, “swallow several major American cities whole.” These are startling statistics that cannot be ignored. In light of increased media focus on the state of our nation’s infrastructure and the consequences of continuing to delay much-needed investment, political leaders are speaking out for solutions. In Vice President Joe Biden’s recent speech for increased infrastructure spending, he said that Americans need to, “Build, build, build….we always have to build. That’s who we are.” Biden noted that such building would pay off with jobs and growth in manufacturing. When it comes to our nation’s infrastructure, there is more at stake than detoured commutes and increased traffic. Infrastructure is a vital part of our everyday lives and is the foundation that drives our economy. Election season is a time to not only reflect on its importance but also to make your voices heard at the ballot box to change it for the better.

Tags: 2013 Report Card, infrastructure, water, water infrastructure
No Comments »

Rock the Vote for Infrastructure on Nov. 4

October 31st, 2014 | By: Maria Matthews

Have you ever taken the bus to work? Driven across a bridge? Turned on the faucet for a drink of water? You may have even noticed that some of these roads and bridges are in need of some TLC. Perhaps, you’ve heard news stories about how water becomes scarce at the time of drought, or the opposite, that dams might breech due to epic rains. If any of this sounds familiar to you, Tuesday’s election is your chance to tackle your local infrastructure challenges head on! Statewide ballot measures affecting everything from roads and bridges to water infrastructure needs will be put in your hands in at least eight states and many more localities. Here’s a rundown of what you could see in your neck of the woods:

California’s Proposition 1 asks voters to authorize the sale of bonds to invest statewide water supply infrastructure improvements. In a time of severe drought California needs you to vote “yes” to improve water storage, water quality, and reclamation.
Hawaii voters will be asked to authorize “special purpose revenue bonds” to provide public and private dam and reservoir owners with financial assistance to maintain and improve structures. Voting “yes” on Question 4 will make this possible.
Louisiana needs a “yes” vote on Amendment 4 to authorize the allocation of state funds to an infrastructure bank for eligible transportation projects and prompt the state legislature to take necessary steps toward the Bank’s creation. This is your chance to improve current road conditions and make your daily commute safer!
Massachusetts needs a “no” vote on Question 1 to maintain the gas tax indexing component of the gas tax increase enacted in 2013. Allow the gas tax to remain linked to the Consumer Price Index and ensure a projected $1 billion of dedicated transportation revenue will be made available over the next decade to modernize roads and bridges.
Maryland’s Question 1 needs your “yes” vote to ensure that revenue allocated to the Transportation Trust Fund will be used exclusively for the construction and maintenance of highways as well as related transportation purposes.
Rhode Island’s Question 6 will allow the State to issue bonds and notes to fund enhancements and renovations to mass transit hub infrastructure. Vote “yes” will not only improve access to key transportation sites, healthcare, and other locations but, also stimulate the local economy by creating new jobs.
Texas needs a “yes” vote on Proposition 1 to have funds from the state’s “rainy day” coffers and a portion of the state’s oil and gas tax revenues allocated to a dedicated fund for transportation projects. This measure creates a dedicated fund for the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of Texas’ roadways, and calls for the creation of a commission to identify Texas Department of Transportation savings.
Wisconsin voters, like Maryland, are faced with a Question 1 that will prevent revenue allocated to the Transportation Trust Fund from being transferred into the state’s general fund. Vote “yes” to ensure transportation revenue earned by the state is used as intended!

In addition to these statewide measures, many localities will see ballot questions that hit even closer to home. Here are a few that ASCE members have been advocating for:

Voters in Humboldt County, California, and a few of its independent cities, will be asked to establish or raise sales taxes for various public works projects.
In Colorado residents in the Pikes Peak region will be asked to invest in stormwater infrastructure by voting to create and fund the El Paso Regional Drainage Authority.
The City of Wilmington, North Carolina ballot will ask citizens to approve a 2-cent property tax increase (about $40 per year for a $200,000 home) to improve the utility and safety of roads and sidewalks. Improvements include realigning intersections, adding traffic signals, and crosswalks.
In Greenville County, South Carolina, ballots will include a 1% “sales and use” tax increase to fund road and bridge improvements as well as crosswalks and pedestrian trails.</span.

Elections are decided by those who show up. Take the time on Tuesday to make your opinion heard. Get out and vote for clean water, safer roads and bridges, improved public transit and dam safety!

Tags: 2014BallotInitiatives, gas tax, infrastructure, water infrastructure
No Comments »

California Proposition 1 Invests in Water Infrastructure

October 13th, 2014 | By: Maria Matthews

Proposition 1 is a statewide ballot measure that will provide a dedicated source of funding to California’s water supply infrastructure. This includes much needed public water system improvements, surface and groundwater storage, drinking water protection, recycling and advanced water treatment technology among other eligible projects. California is the midst of a severe, multi-year drought and has an aging water infrastructure system. This ballot measure is a fiscally responsible step toward meeting the state’s overall water needs. It secures California’s water future by keeping family farms and businesses productive, stimulates the economy through the construction of new facilities needed to store, deliver, and treat water. A “yes” vote will ensure a reliable source of funding and prioritize investment in state water infrastructure projects. ASCE recognizes that America’s drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater systems are aging or failing and must be upgraded or expanded to meet increasing federal and state environmental requirements. These requirements have created a crisis that is beyond the means of local communities to solve and for which federal assistance is clearly justified. Not meeting the investment needs of the next 20 years risks reversing the environmental, public health, and economic gains of the last three decades. A “yes” vote will ensure funding for key public benefits: water quality, flood control and the preservation of natural habitat. When you talk with a neighbor about the election, remember this: ✓ Provides safe drinking water for all communities. ✓ Expands water storage capacity as a means of managing and preparing for drought. ✓ Invests in water conservation, recycling and improved local water supplies. ✓ Increases flood protection. ✓ Secure and safeguard California’s water supply without raising taxes. The measure is currently supported by ASCE Region 9 and a number of professional societies, members of the business community, conservation groups, and leading state politicians. Support a comprehensive state water plan by voting “yes” on Proposition 1 in November.

Tags: 2014BallotInitiatives, water, water infrastructure
No Comments »

Sign Up for Email Updates