In Times of Economic Uncertainty, Investment in Water Infrastructure is Crucial for a Stronger Economy

We promote our #InvestInWater campaign loudly and often at UCANE. We say “Don’t let out of sight be out of mind.” We highlight how it is the forgotten infrastructure, and how most people do not think about it unless a water or sewer main break disrupts their day, or if their faucet doesn’t turn on, or their toilet won’t flush. There is a universal awareness of the impact access to clean water has on our health and our day to day lives. However, what is often overlooked is the critical role water infrastructure has on economic development.

One need only visit the Seaport district to get a sense of what the cleanup of Boston Harbor has done for the City of Boston. Other areas of Boston are being developed as well, and the economic impact for the city and region is immeasurable and will be felt for decades to come. It is the best example of the benefits of investing in water infrastructure. A study by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution put the return on that $4.7 billion investment at anywhere between $30 billion and $100 billion.

According to a study by the American Society of Civil Engineers, if we fail to invest in our water infrastructure, nationally the businesses that are most reliant on water will spend $250 billion in 2039 on water service disruptions. As water infrastructure deteriorates, street flooding, water service disruptions, and damage from storms will increase. Costs incurred by American households due to water and wastewater failures would be seven times higher in 20 years than they are today. If the nation closes the water infrastructure investment gap, the US GDP would grow by $4.5 trillion in 20 years. This investment would create 800,000 new jobs, and household disposable income would rise by more than $2,000 per household. If significant investments are not made, and as production volumes decline, workers would see reductions in wages and disposable income. By 2039, 636,000 jobs would be lost annually.

Also, as most are aware, towns on Cape Cod are under court order to address their water quality issues. But rather than view this as a costly burden, some local officials are wisely seeing this as an opportunity to invest in the economic future of their communities that are dealing with a housing crisis, and are trying to attract new businesses, and retain and draw in new residents.

Each year, the Value of Water Campaign polls over 1,000 Americans in an effort to better understand their opinions about the state of our nation’s water infrastructure and what they view as priorities for action and potential solutions. They recently released this year’s Value of Water Index, which indicates that water is topof-mind for American voters and that there is a need for continued messaging on infrastructure funding and successes.

Some highlights of this year’s poll results included:

• Ensuring an adequate water supply and addressing contamination are top voter priorities,

• Continued high levels of support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,

• Declining ratings—while still relatively high—of local and national water infrastructure, and

• Support for government affordability programs, and modestly increased rates to safeguard and improve water quality, safety, and accessibility, as well as prevent shutoffs for non-payment.

Going backwards on any additional investments in water infrastructure now will not only increase the price tag later, but it also hinders the ability to withstand the economic uncertainty that we face in the months ahead. The time to act is now, and we urge all municpialtities and awarding authorties to move forward with these critical projects. n

Molloy, Esq.