New American Society of Civil Engineers National Infrastructure Report Reinforces Need to Act on Updating and Maintaining U.S. Water Systems

VOORHEES, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) latest Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, issued every four years since 2001, recently gave the nation’s water systems a D grade and wastewater systems a D+ grade. This remains in line with the last few reports, and heightens the sense of urgency to take actions that will turn around the condition of this often overlooked category of infrastructure.

To help address these infrastructure challenges, American Water (NYSE: AWK) invested a record $1.5 billion in 2016, the majority of which was for water and wastewater infrastructure which improves our long-term service reliability and water quality for our customers.

Earlier today, American Water Senior Vice President, Regulatory Policy and Business Development Kathy Pape testified before the House Transportation & Infrastructure Sub-Committee on Water Resources and Environment in Washington, DC. and offered perspectives and recommendations on solving our nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure challenges.

American Water commends the House Transportation & Infrastructure Sub-Committee on Water Resources and Environment for providing a forum to discuss the challenges that face our water and wastewater infrastructure and the potential solutions available through the continued partnership of the private and public sector.

According to Pape, the value of the ASCE Report Card is in raising customer awareness of the critical nature of these issues and the value of our water and wastewater infrastructure, which is largely hidden underground. “That infrastructure is essential to delivering clean, safe, reliable water to our customers, but is often taken for granted until there is an issue,” Pape said. “While much work needs to be done to raise the grade of the nation’s deteriorating water infrastructure, recognizing that a healthy water system truly promotes economic vitality, provides public health, and protects our environment can only improve future scores across the country.”

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 amwater.com.

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