New Report Card on Nation’s Infrastructure Reinforces Need to Repair Aging Water, Wastewater Systems Across PA, Says Pennsy...
March 16 2017 - 10:15AM
Business Wire
When the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) issued its
latest Report Card for America’s Infrastructure
(www.infrastructurereportcard.org) last week, it gave the nation’s
water systems a D grade, and wastewater systems a D+ grade.
Pennsylvania American Water reacted to the poor scores by urging an
increased sense of urgency for action to turn around the condition
of this critical infrastructure.
“Once again, the ASCE grades on drinking water/wastewater
infrastructure clearly illustrate the national need to upgrade,
repair and maintain a vast system responsible for our most precious
water resources,” said Pennsylvania American Water President
Jeffrey McIntyre. “The nation’s water systems have received a grade
of D, which is among the worst of the infrastructures studied in
the report, issued every four years since 2001. We see the findings
as more evidence to move quickly and rebuild the nation’s water and
wastewater systems to protect public health, safety and local
economies.”
Water system breakdowns often result in service outages,
impediments to emergency response and damage to other types of
infrastructure. The price tag for the upkeep and replacement of the
nation’s outdated water systems is at least $1 trillion over the
next 25 years, according to the American Water Works
Association.
McIntyre said Pennsylvania American Water proactively invested
about $309 million in needed system improvements last year, and its
capital investments totaled more than $2.5 billion between 2005 and
2016.
“With projects ranging from the replacement of water mains,
valves and hydrants to treatment plant upgrades to improve
efficiency and reliability and ensure environmental compliance,”
said McIntyre, “the investments we have made show our commitment to
continuing to meet customer needs in the communities we serve.”
He added, “One of the reasons that we want the public to be
aware of the ASCE Report Card is to highlight the critical nature
of these issues. In fact, our customers already play an important
role in system renewal and future reliability when they pay their
monthly bill, because 49 cents -- or almost half of every dollar
they pay -- is reinvested back into Pennsylvania American Water’s
infrastructure.”
Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water
(NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the
state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater
services to approximately 2.3 million people. With a history dating
back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically
diverse U.S. publicly-traded water and wastewater utility company.
The company employs more than 6,800 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.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170316005151/en/
Pennsylvania American WaterTerry MaenzaT: 610-670-7789 ext.
1009M: 610-849-6484terry.maenza@amwater.com
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