1890 Northwest Blvd · Suite 210 · Columbus, Ohio 43212
T: 614.488.5800 F: 614.488.5801 E:
www.ohiowea.org
August 15, 2012
Dear Fellow Water Professional:
I am writing to you as the President of the Ohio Water Environment Association (OWEA), a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to education on issues of water quality protection, enhancement of water resources, and reasonable common sense regulation. OWEA operates as a member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), which has headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.
We are writing to you to ask your assistance in encouraging our national leaders to support clean water funding initiatives such as WIFIA (Water Infrastructure Finance Innovations Authority) and continued support of the SRF (State Revolving Loan Fund). To this end, we have attached a resolution for your consideration, which can be sent to your elected officials in Washington DC to let them know your opinions.
Unfortunately, discussions on the importance of water infrastructure have disappeared from national conversation. While discussion has occurred on the subject of roads and bridges and the importance of infrastructure in general, little has been said about the condition of “water infrastructure” and how critical it is to the health and welfare of America, its citizens, and economic commerce. After all, water is the one true substance on Earth that one cannot do without. Yet, given that its infrastructure is often unseen; most people are not aware of the degradation of the system. Despite the unseen (and at times ignored) degradation of our water infrastructure, most utility service providers continue to do an excellent job at providing water of good quality and treating water at reasonable cost.
Many communities report that critical assets are in excess of 80 years old. Unless there is increased funding support to help address the needs of aging infrastructure, the quality of life and health that most of us enjoy in Ohio may be diminished. We already are seeing signs of this stress due to increased frequency of water line breaks and rising costs to ratepayers to support aging systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that by 2020 there will be an $84 billion gap between what is being spent on wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and what should be spent to meet our national needs. The American Society of Civil Engineers gives a D- grade to the state of our nation’s wastewater infrastructure, drinking water infrastructure, levees, and inland waterways.
OWEA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) association that provides technical education and training for Ohio water quality professionals who clean water and return it safely to the environment.
1890 Northwest Blvd · Suite 210 · Columbus, Ohio 43212
T: 614.488.5800 F: 614.488.5801 E:
www.ohiowea.org
OWEA believes that investment in water infrastructure also means jobs for Americans, many of which are local to Ohio and Ohio’s communities. Jobs directly tied to the construction of water infrastructure include jobs for engineers that design the facilities, contractors that build them, equipment suppliers that provide equipment, and materials suppliers that provide asphalt, concrete, and reinforcing steel. Jobs also include those created by local motels, gas stations and restaurants providing goods and services for construction workers, which benefit the local economies. Given all of the discussion that has occurred in the last two decades on loss of domestic jobs overseas, investment in infrastructure is a true investment in America, America’s people, and a positive step in regaining national pride.
For our nation to return to economic prosperity, the American people and American businesses (large and small) need a safe and reliable water infrastructure system. The Water Environment Federation recently launched a public awareness campaign called “WATER’S WORTH IT”™ (www.WatersWorthIt.org) that raises awareness of the challenges ahead. OWEA urges all municipal leaders and utility service providers to review this information and help bring the subject of clean water funding to the national stage.
Ohio is considered by both major political parties to be a swing state in the 2012 election. Your voice can help shape the Ohio of the future. After all, Ohio is blessed with abundant water resources. OWEA believes that “great infrastructure builds great nations.” We believe that water infrastructure must be provided to ensure good health to our citizens, meet all applicable regulatory standards, be abundant in supply, and be provided at reasonable cost. Water has been part of our national heritage, and this legacy can hopefully be continued with your help.
To this end, we have drafted a resolution, which is attached, to help lend support to this national discussion. Our goal is to have each community consider passing this or a similar resolution as soon as possible and would ask that you help to facilitate this in your community. As you accomplish this, please encourage your local media to write about the legislation. If they or you need additional information for a story, contact Judi Henrich at OWEA and she will direct you to the appropriate people for help. By all means, you can contact me concerning this at 330.219.7883.
Thank you for your consideration.
Regards,
Thomas A. Angelo
President
The Ohio Water Environment Association
OWEA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) association that provides technical education and training for Ohio water quality professionals who clean water and return it safely to the environment.