Sept. 10 is a big day for water and wastewater infrastructure.

Today, leaders from across the industry — representing cities, counties, mayors, utilities, engineers and more — are gathering on Capitol Hill to discuss infrastructure. More specifically, they’re talking about jobs, investment and economic growth.

Just last year, the American Society of Civil Engineers reported that U.S. water and wastewater systems are close to failing. The organization gave our national system a “D.” A “D”! I don’t know about you, but if I had brought home a grade like that in school, it would not have been pretty. A “D” is serious business.

Today’s discussions will revolve around the financial support needed to repair those failing systems. Water sector leaders will also emphasize that by repairing and upgrading our systems, the industry will add jobs and economic growth across the country.

“Jobs in the water and wastewater industries can’t be outsourced,” says Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake in a press release from Water Works Campaign. “This is local work being done by people living and working right in our communities. These jobs offer competitive salaries as well as opportunities for training and advancement. Simply put: When water works, America works.”

The Water Research Foundation and Water Environment Research Foundation stated that 30 of the nation’s largest utilities will invest $233 billion over the next decade and generate more than half a trillion in U.S. economic output. Those 30 utilities are responsible for 36,500 direct jobs and support more than 289,000 permanent jobs.

Today’s events include sponsorship from: American Society of Civil Engineers, Building America’s Future, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, National Urban League, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Value of Water Coalition (American Water, American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, CH2M HILL, MWH Global, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, United Water, Veolia, Water Environment Federation, Xylem Inc., and U.S. Water Alliance)

For more information on Water Works, visit waterworkscampaign.org. You’ll find plenty of graphics and videos to share over social media, and you’ll be able to stay up-to-date on everything happening in Washington, D.C.