Take Some Time Today to Imagine a Day Without Water
October 23, 2019
Most of you have probably already had a cup or two of coffee today or started the laundry. Now imagine starting your day without that morning brew, brushing your teeth, or washing your toddler’s hands before breakfast. Imagine what it’s like to not have water, even for one day, and you can see life grinds......
Voters Are Thirsty for Better Water
April 04, 2019
For many Americans, the condition of water infrastructure as “good” has consistently declined since 2016, from 59% in 2016 to 49% in 2019: 59% stated water infrastructure was good in 2016 and in 2019, 49%, which is a sharp decrease. Additionally, 74% of American voters are extremely concerned about chemicals and pollutants in the tap.......
Congress Introduces Legislation on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
March 08, 2019
It was an exciting week for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)! The CWSRF is a federal infrastructure program that provides low-interest loans to states – requiring a 20% state match – for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements. Since 1987, the CWSRF has loaned $42 billion to 50 states, the District of Columbia, and......
Infrastructure Proves to be Priority on Election Night
November 07, 2018
Infrastructure investment was again a prevailing theme on ballots in many states this past election season. The midterm election poised an opportunity for states to create new revenue streams as well as secure existing ones. Let’s recap what happened with infrastructure initiatives on state ballots: California rejected a repeal of the 10-cent gas tax increase......
ASCE Celebrates the Passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018
October 11, 2018
Yesterday, the Senate passed S. 3021, the America’s Water Infrastructure Now Act of 2018, or the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018 by a vote of 99-1. Earlier this year, ASCE President Kristina Swallow testified before the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee about the importance of long-term, strategic investment in America’s water resources......
Minnesota Earns a “C” in First Infrastructure Report Card
October 10, 2018
On Tuesday, October 9, civil engineers gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol for the release of the first-ever Report Card for Minnesota’s Infrastructure. The Report Card gave the state’s infrastructure an overall GPA of “C” and evaluated and graded nine individual infrastructure categories: aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, energy, ports, roads, transit, and wastewater.......
September 14, 2018
Today, the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018, S. 3021. The passage of this bill authorizes key programs and projects that are critical to improving our nation’s water-related infrastructure categories. The 2017 Infrastructure Report Card graded each of these categories; ports received a grade of “C+,” while dams, levees,......
A Busy Month for Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Systems Investments
April 26, 2018
It’s been a busy few weeks for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure investments; this is great news because despite increased efficiency methods and sustainable practices, there is a growing gap between the capital needed to maintain drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and the actual investments made. By 2025, the investment gap for drinking water and......
Proposed Water Legislation Aims to Address Funding Needs
February 05, 2018
As advocates of alternative water resources financing mechanisms and innovative, resilient infrastructure, ASCE is happy to support two recent pieces of legislation that provide creative solutions to our nation’s aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure systems. Last week, U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) introduced S. 2364,......
September 08, 2017
Congress returned to Washington this week with a long to-do list of must finish items, including passing a Hurricane Harvey relief package, raising the debt ceiling, and reauthorizing both the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Both the House and the Senate hit the ground running. The Senate passed a......