New American Society of Civil Engineers National Infrastructure Report Reinforces Need to Update and Maintain U.S. Water Syst...
March 10 2017 - 12:39PM
Business Wire
New Jersey American Water is doing its part,
investing nearly $1 million per day into the systems that serve its
customers
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) latest Report
Card for America’s Infrastructure, issued every four years since
2001, recently gave the nation’s water systems a D grade, and
wastewater systems a D+ grade, both of which are among the worst of
the infrastructures studied in the report. This remains in line
with the last few reports, and heightens the sense of urgency to
take actions to improve the condition of this often overlooked and
truly essential category of infrastructure.
“Once again, as the ASCE grades on drinking water and wastewater
infrastructure have come in, we continue to see a national need to
upgrade, repair, and maintain a vast system responsible for the
most valuable resource we all rely on each day,” said Rob MacLean,
President of New Jersey American Water and Senior Vice President of
American Water’s Eastern Division. “New Jersey American Water sees
the findings as more evidence for the industry’s need to move
quickly on updating and maintaining water infrastructure to ensure
the resiliency of the nation’s water system for health, safety, and
robust local economies.”
As the water and/or wastewater utility company for one in every
three people in the state, New Jersey American Water proactively
invested about $350 million in needed system improvements in 2016 –
nearly $1 million a day – to help ensure high-quality, reliable
service for its customers. The company is committed to continuing a
robust investment plan in 2017, as part of American Water’s
commitment to investing over $1 billion in its service areas
nationwide this year.
A breakdown of water systems can result in water disruptions,
impediments to emergency response, and damage to other types of
infrastructure. The price tag for the critical upkeep and
replacement of the nation’s outdated water systems is at least $1
trillion over the next 25 years, according to estimates by the
American Water Works Association. While it is a challenge,
investing in water and wastewater systems has many benefits.
“Water infrastructure investments prove their value every day in
terms of service quality and delivery, as well as in economic
benefits as well,” added MacLean. “For every $1 million invested in
water infrastructure, it is estimated that 16 jobs are generated
throughout the economy.
“From projects to replace water mains, pipelines, and hydrants,
and the installation of advanced metering technology to help reduce
water leaks, to enhanced treatment capabilities improving
efficiency and reliability, the investments we’ve made into the
system ensure that we are well positioned to continue to meet
customer needs in the communities that rely on us,” he said.
“One of the reasons we want our customers to be aware of the
ASCE Report Card is to highlight the critical nature of these
issues, and let them know that they already play an important role
in system renewal and future reliability by simply paying their
water bill,” said MacLean. “By supporting needed improvements,
customers and New Jersey American Water are working together to
keep the water flowing now and well into the future. While much
work needs to be done to raise the grade of the nation’s
deteriorating water infrastructure, we are committed to addressing
the challenge in our state, just as American Water is committed to
addressing the challenge across our service areas nationwide.”
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is
the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing
high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to
approximately 2.7 million people. More information can be found at
www.newjerseyamwater.com. With a history dating back to 1886,
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest and most geographically
diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company.
The company employs 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide
regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other
related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and
Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting
www.amwater.com..
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170310005576/en/
New Jersey American WaterDenise Venuti Free,
856-782-2316Director of Communications and External
Affairsdenise.free@amwater.com
American Water Works (NYSE:AWK)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
American Water Works (NYSE:AWK)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024