National Society of Professional Engineers Calls For New Investment in America's Water Infrastructure

(Alexandria, VA, February 13, 2001) --- The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) is calling on Congress to pass legislation this year to renew the nation's financial commitment to clean and safe water. NSPE is supporting a new report from the Water Infrastructure Network (WIN), a non-partisan coalition of local elected officials, drinking water and wastewater service providers, environmental groups, labor unions, and construction and engineering professionals.

In the report released today, the coalition calls for a five-year, $57 billion federal investment in drinking water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure to replace aging pipes, upgrade treatment systems, and continue to protect public health and the environment.

The report, called Water Infrastructure Now , says the funding increase is urgently needed to help close a $23 billion per year gap between infrastructure needs and current spending. NSPE supports increased federal funding in the combined State Revolving Loan Fund to total $57 billion over the next five fiscal years.

"In the mid-1980s, NSPE played a key role in amending the Clean Water Act to provide for federal grants to State Revolving Funds to replace Construction Grants Programs. We can do that again," said Kermit L. Prime Jr., P.E., DEE, a senior vice president with PBS&J, an engineering firm with offices throughout the United Statesin Orlando, FL, and chair of NSPE's energy and environment subcommittee. "The federal government must reverse the trend of declining participation at a time when meeting the environmental and potable water needs of our country are increasingly urgent," Prime continued.

Cities, counties, and other local agencies supply the public with tap water, and they collect, treat, and dispose of sewage and urban runoff. Local governments and their ratepayers currently cover 90 percent of the costs to build, operate, and maintain public water and sewer systems. But, as older systems deteriorate and water quality rules tighten, local budgets simply cannot keep pace.

To bridge the investment gap, the federal government should meet localities halfway - by authorizing an average of $11.5 billion in capitalization funds over five years - the report proposes. States would receive the funds and in turn offer grants and loans to local agencies. In an era of unprecedented federal surpluses, the time for renewing the nation's commitment to its water resources is now, says the report.

"The carefully crafted WIN report asks the federal government to contribute only 50 percent of the capital shortfall, requiring state and local governments to provide the other 50 percent and 100 percent of the increased operation and maintenance needs," said Prime. Other legislative recommendations in the report include:

* Authorizing a variety of financing mechanisms, such as grants, loans, loan subsidies, and credit assistance, to assist local governments in meeting these critical needs;

* Streamlining the federal and state administration of infrastructure funds and adequately financing state programs;

* Establishing a new program for technology and management innovation to reduce costs, prolong the life of America's water infrastructure, and improve productivity; and

* Providing expanded, targeted technical assistance to communities most in need.

The engineering profession plays a key role in protecting and managing our nation's water resources. Engineers are leaders in designing the technologies that ensure that public health and ecological standards are met for the country's water resources. Engineers are also the lead technical professionals in managing water resources in infrastructure, flood control, water supply, water and wastewater treatment, channel and harbor construction and maintenance, and hydropower development. NSPE is a founding member of WIN. For NSPE's complete position statement on water resources, go to: http://www.nspe.org/govrel/gr2-ps1736.asp

NSPE is the national society of engineering professionals from all disciplines that promotes the ethical and competent practice of engineering, advocates licensure, and enhances the image and well-being of its members. Founded in 1934, NSPE serves more than 59,000 members and the public through 53 state territorial societies and more than 500 chapters. For more information, please visit www.nspe.org

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