The water of life

Infrastructure must be funded

There’s no feeling like turning on the water faucet on an oppressively hot summer day and pouring a nice, big glass of … nothing.

Fortunately, not many of us know that feeling. We expect reliable and safe drinking water in the United States and across the industrialized world. It’s a necessity for consumers and an obligation for municipalities. For good reason, policymakers make it a priority to protect public health. Thriving cities are those that maintain a working water and wastewater infrastructure that handles a community’s needs.

Long-term, dependable water and wastewater capacity improves quality of life and promotes economic development. Just like a skilled work force and good roads, industrial and commercial prospects consider water and wastewater capacity and quality in site selection. Amazon won’t move its second headquarters anywhere unless the water tap works and the toilet flushes.

In cities like Flint, Mich., and Jackson, Miss., inadequate water resources have made headlines. The well-publicized issues in Flint are linked to an aging water delivery system that needs replacement. In Jackson, leaks in water pipes earlier this year caused a water-pressure crisis that forced officials to bring in portable toilets to the state Capitol. Without money to address water infrastructure, other municipalities could find themselves in situations just as dire.

At Garver, we’ve collaborated with local governments for decades to find solutions for their water and wastewater infrastructure needs. With more than 100 engineers, technicians and designers working on water issues alone, we recognize the complications caused by aging water and wastewater delivery and treatment systems, along with the challenges of depleted surface water supplies and aquifers.

Local governments often can’t alone bear the costs of massive improvements needed for water and wastewater systems. These municipalities are left with the least desirable option of passing the costs along to ratepayers. Sometimes, that difficult choice delays projects and causes problems.

Communities have long looked to the federal government for assistance. We at Garver are encouraged by action in Congress this month to pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), also known as “America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.” The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved its version of the act June 6. It awaits action by the Senate.

Though the measure is intended to be passed every two years, Congress has authorized WRDA just three times in the last decade. WRDA primarily funds U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control, navigation and water supply projects. This year’s bill authorizes grants and loans to cities and counties to manage water and wastewater infrastructure needs.

Sometimes overlooked but no less important in the 2018 WRDA bill are provisions to fund academic research and to train entry-level water and wastewater treatment plant operators. The act re-establishes a university-based research and development program so that engineers can address water and wastewater infrastructure problems now, finding solutions before the issues grow larger. Importantly for many communities, WRDA authorizes grants for training and developing the next generation of front-line utility workers. Across the country, many treatment system operators need additional personnel, and those employees need training on the technology used to keep our water systems clean, safe and functional. Those operators need support and guidance.

Whether WRDA helps Oklahoma create a safer channel for boats in the Arkansas River, or keeps a small wastewater treatment plant in Alabama compliant with EPA regulations, the act will benefit Americans and improve our economy. Water and wastewater projects account for hundreds of new jobs in design and construction every year. These projects provide the kind of stability that economic developers need when touting a 10-, 20- or 50-year water plan to a new industrial prospect.

This and other federal water infrastructure bills will help ensure water supply and resources are available for years to come without placing an onerous burden on the local utility ratepayer. We encourage Congress to be even more engaged in finding solutions to our existing problems and proactive in helping to set growing communities on a course for success.

Garver is utilizing our own research and development investments to move forward with the latest technology and innovation to help the communities we serve, leveraging these federal dollars and maximizing efficiencies to the benefit of ratepayers. We are also leading the way in protecting our water supply, especially in states like Arizona, where water is becoming increasingly scarce. We’re collaborating with top academic and water industry researchers to find safe and innovative ways to use and reuse water.

Elected officials should step forward as well to commit additional dollars to water and wastewater projects. A more robust federal commitment to water infrastructure gives us confidence that we’ll get that nice, big glass of safe, affordable drinking water from the faucet on those sweltering summer days.

Authorizing and funding WRDA is a good place for Congress to start.

Dan Williams is president and CEO of Garver, an Arkansas-based multi-disciplined engineering, planning, architectural, and environmental services firm with 25 offices in 11 states.