The much talked about Penn State Public Broadcasting documentary on America’s underground infrastructure will soon air on PBS stations, setting off what I hope will be increased support of our industry from consumers and politicians.
The documentary, “Liquid Assets,” will be released on Oct. 1 to PBS stations nationwide, and is designed to raise public awareness about our nation’s water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. We often say our industry is out of sight and out of mind. I believe after this documentary airs, the out of sight will be top of mind for consumers.
I’ve seen an increase in news coverage in the past couple of years about sewer overflows, water main breaks and related challenges. I can confidently predict these incidents will only increase in cities across the country. We in the industry know the challenges — that we’re repairing and replacing at a rate far less than what we’ve been using.
We’re not spending enough to keep up, let alone fix the damage already done. It’s my hope that increased public awareness of these issues has a domino effect. And that as a result, our lawmakers will understand that our sewer systems are our No. 1 asset. Without effective sewer systems, communities throughout the country are at risk of public health crises.
NASSCO is committed to educating its members and raising the standards for the rehabilitation of underground utilities. “Liquid Assets” is designed to educate consumers. As professionals, we should look at this documentary as an opportunity to position our industry in the minds of consumers. Education and knowledge are keys to success.
This education at the grassroots level will help our industry by shedding light on key issues that affect the most basic elements of how we live. Consumers expect that when they turn on the faucet, clean water will flow. When they flush the toilet, the waste disappears. “Liquid Assets” tells how these basic services could change if we don’t repair what’s broken.
As we gear up for this documentary, I want to remind my industry colleagues to think about what you’re doing with regard to education. How are you keeping up with the industry? How are you helping your staff improve? What steps are you taking to stay on the forefront of technology? What certifications do you hold? What improvements could you be making?
For more than three decades, NASSCO has led the industry in training and education and in setting industry standards for the effective rehabilitation of underground utilities. If you’re not a NASSCO member, join us. We have extensive training and education offerings throughout the year for everyone. I expect that we’ll all learn something new by tuning in to “Liquid Assets” on PBS. After that, I hope you’ll visit NASSCO at WEFTEC 2008 in Chicago, Ill., Oct. 19-22. We’ll be in booth 11013. I hope to see you there.
Irvin Gemora is executive director of NASSCO. He can be reached at director@nassco.org. The NASSCO headquarters is at 11521 Cronridge Dr., Suite J, Owings Mills, MD 21117. Call 410/486-3500.
