Job Creation
Drinking Water Utilities Ready to Create 400,000+ Jobs
As Congress considers legislation to stimulate the nation's economy, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and other organizations are urging legislators to allocate at least $10 billion for "shovel-ready" projects for investment in drinking water infrastructure. The expenditure of $10 billion on repairs and improvements to water mains, leaking pipes, water treatment plants, pumping stations, storage reservoirs, elevated tanks, security safeguards, and similar projects would create work for more than 400,000 Americans throughout the economy, including almost 90,000 direct construction jobs.
AWWA is confident that the nation’s drinking water utilities can spend at least $10 billion quickly. This confidence is based upon surveys that we have done of our utility members and surveys by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. These independent surveys, combined with analyses by the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, the United States Conference of Mayors, and others, confirm the need and the ability to spend these funds quickly. Studies conducted by EPA, CBO, and others have consistently shown approximate parity in infrastructure need between drinking water and wastewater utilities.
In addition to directly putting people to work, investments in drinking water infrastructure highly stimulate other economic activity. Water projects depend on American pipe, fittings, cement, aggregates, and other products. The U.S. Conference of Mayors estimates that every job created in rebuilding our water systems creates nearly 3.7 jobs elsewhere, and every dollar invested in water infrastructure adds $6.35 to the national economy. Needless to say, investments in water infrastructure also create lasting benefits by strengthening public health, safety, and our quality of life.
AWWA stands ready to provide further information and assistance to policymakers concerned with this important legislation. Contact Deputy Executive Director Tom Curtis or Legislative Director Tommy Holmes for additional information at (202) 628-8303.
Links to additional documents:
- AWWA sent a letter to all members of Congress on December 11, 2008, urging them to allocate at least $10 billion in economic stimulus funding toward drinking water infrastructure.
- On December 16, 2008, AWWA, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, and the National Rural Water Association sent joint letters to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid saying that drinking water utilities were ready to invest $10 billion in ready-to-go drinking water infrastructure projects.
U.S. Rep. Gene Green of Texas, chair of the House Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials sent a letter - with 35 other members of Congress - seeking $10 billion in drinking water infrastructure funding in the upcoming economic stimulus bill to U.S. Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, and U.S. Rep. Jerry Lewis of California, ranking member of that committee.- AWWA, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, and the National Rural Water Association jointly assembled a booklet to help guide the administration of President-Elect Obama in drinking water policy. Issues included economic stimulus, long-term infrastructure financing, drinking water standards, source water protection, climate change research and adaptation, and security.
- AWWA describes its survey and analysis determing that there are at least $10 billion in drinking water infrastructure projects that could begin within 120 days of receiving funding.
- In 2001, AWWA published "Dawn of the Replacement Era: Reinvesting in Drinking Water Infrastructure," which documented that expenditures totaling $250 billion will be needed in the next 30 years for replacement of worn-out drinking water pipes and associated structures.
