Every four years, our country’s infrastructure gets graded by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). With its Report Card on America’s Infrastructure, ASCE rates 15 areas of critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, drinking water and schools.
Once again, I wasn’t surprised by the near-failing grade of D — the same as in 2005 — for the overall condition. Knowing what I know about underground infrastructure, I took a wild guess at what grade that area would receive. I assumed it was no better than a D, and I was right. As in 2005, the report gave drinking water and wastewater systems a D-minus. It noted that by 2025, about 50 percent of water mains will reach or surpass their useful lives.
The grim reality is that we’re never going to catch up. Have we failed as an industry to make our issues a priority in the minds of politicians? The public? Key decision-makers? Dozens of articles by experts in every aspect of infrastructure have been published. Forums have been conducted around the world. Recently, a documentary, Liquid Assets, aired nationwide, highlighting the problems with sewer systems around the country. Clearly, we’re raising awareness of our issues, but what more can we do? Here are some ideas.
Educate lawmakers and the public. Look for opportunities to educate others on the vital role of our nation’s sewer systems. Write articles and explore speaking opportunities to spread the word. Knowledge is power, and the more we can educate key decision-makers on our underfunded industry, the more we’ll benefit.
Adhere to strict standards. While our infrastructure might not get a passing grade, the quality of our work should. I invite you to test yourself and your business. How well are you adhering to standards? What is the quality of your work? How do you evaluate jobs? Your employees? If you were to give yourself a report card — what grade would you receive?
We have an obligation to ensure that rehabilitations to our underground infrastructure are conducted using the highest standards for long-lasting success. For more than three decades now, NASSCO has been setting standards for the rehabilitation of underground utilities. We can help you adhere to these standards with extensive training, education and networking opportunities.
ASCE takes the position that a failing infrastructure can’t support a healthy economy. I agree. Unfortunately, to most politicians the word infrastructure rarely if ever includes those parts that are out of sight. The gap between funding and needs is significant.
It is estimated that $255 billion will be needed over the next five years to raise drinking and wastewater infrastructure to acceptable levels. That means we need $51 billion annually to update or replace existing systems and build new ones. Only $28 billion in yearly spending actually occurs, resulting in a deficit of $23 billion.
We must continue to educate lawmakers and the public on our industry. Our aging systems are reaching the 100-year-old mark or more. We have an obligation to our industry, our public and ourselves to protect our nation’s most vital public asset — the sewer system.
I’m certain that in our lifetime our nation’s underground infrastructure will not receive a passing grade. I feel the same about other areas of infrastructure. But just because we can’t completely cure the patient, we can at least stop the bleeding. Help me and your industry.
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.
