APWA Partners on National Water Infrastructure Summit

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 4, 2013) –  The American Public Works Association (APWA), a not-for-profit association devoted to public works, is working together with 17 national partners of leading water groups, associations, and companies to bring top leaders and experts together to share perspectives about the need for resilient water infrastructure systems, and their impact on job creation and a strong financial future. APWA, and the other Water for Jobs campaign partners, will focus on the link between water infrastructure and economic recovery during the National Water Infrastructure Summit: Reinvest/Rebuild/Revive on April 16, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building, at 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, in Washington D.C.

“APWA is proud to partner with the Water Environment Federation, and the other leading association partners, such as the American Water Works Association, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and the National Association of Water Companies, to focus on the need for reinvestment in water infrastructure systems to create jobs, drive innovation, and safeguard our public health,” said APWA Executive Director Peter B. King.

The National Water Infrastructure Summit is a key activity of the Water for Jobs: Water Puts America to Work campaign. The partnership is using this effort and the summit to raise awareness about the critical issue, and to reinforce the message that investing in water infrastructure is an investment in America’s future.

Recently, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave the nation’s drinking and wastewater infrastructure a “D” grade in its 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which reflected a funding gap for adequate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure. Much of the U.S. water and wastewater infrastructure was built more than a century ago, and has worked for years keeping the water flowing in homes and businesses. However, an alarming state of disrepair threatens the foundation of the economy and America’s quality of life, through the lack of investment and priority for the largely invisible network of the nation’s water pipes, tunnels and tanks. Additionally, the needs are outpacing investment with the U.S. falling behind many developed nations.

The Department of Commerce estimates that each job created in the local water and wastewater industry creates 3.68 jobs in the national economy. However, the needs are far outpacing the available funding, and the gap between needs and investment grows, while the impacts on jobs, lost business sales and GDP worsens. “As partners in the Water Infrastructure Summit, we look forward to addressing this non-partisan issue of renewed will, leadership and cooperation to find solutions to the funding gap,” King added.

The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 28,500 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has an office in Washington, D.C. and 63 chapters in North America.