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Water Is Life, and Infrastructure Makes it HappenTM

From cars being swept down the Potomac River - to massive sink holes literally swallowing trucks in Manhattan and Fire Engines in Los Angeles - to flood waters contaminating public buildings with E. coli in New Jersey, we are seeing the results of neglected water infrastructure.  In addition to aging infrastructure, climate change adaptation, and enhanced regulation, are compelling communities to invest in water infrastructure and expand green infrastructure. 

Water Is Life, and Infrastructure Makes It Happen* is an education program designed to face the challenge. Targeting ratepayers, local leaders and the media, it teaches the value of water infrastructure and the importance of investing in its long-term stability.  Water Is Life public information materials are designed to assist utilities and community organizations to build public support for investment in water infrastructure.  Request a complimentary CD with outreach materials that are customizable for your community. 

Named to the 2010 Associations Advance America Honor Roll as an outstanding program which has resulted in significant benefit to American society. 

WEF Staff Contact for more information:
Lorien Walsh
lwalsh@wef.org 
703-535-5264

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In the Spotlight

EDITORIAL: State faces huge water, wastewater infrastructure needs 
September 8, 2011

Oklahoma has plenty of water, especially in the eastern part of the state, but historically it has had problems building and maintaining infrastructure to treat and deliver that water, and to deal with wastewater


Reading seeks relief for sole sewage main 
August 30, 2011

Monday's rupture of the city's sewer main, which has had no backup for more than a half-century, coincidentally was discovered by engineers doing field work as they design a second main, which would be that backup.


Close call for city water illustrates repair needs 
August 22, 2011

Just over two weeks ago, according to public utilities officials, Toledo's water supply had a narrow brush with catastrophe.


Chicago flooding Q&A: Freak storm, aging sewers and Chicago's topography lead to flooding woes
July 28, 2011

Chicago's Deep Tunnel was billed as an engineering marvel that would "bottle rainstorms," but one of the nation's most expensive public works projects was no match for the biggest rainstorm in the city's recorded history.

Utility upgrades could save city $1.9 million  
June 22, 2011

Improvements to its wastewater treatment system could save the City of Union as much as $1.9 million over 15 years through reduced energy consumption.

Wilton residents approve sewer upgrade  
June 7, 2011
 

The $4.7 million project to upgrade the town's sewer system was approved by voters at Wilton's Town Meeting Monday night.

EDITORIAL: Stop propping up budget with water money 
June 3, 2011

Columbia City Council would be irresponsible to raise water and sewer rates to improve those systems without addressing the real problem with the utilities fund: Far too much money has been spent on other things.

Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure is an award winning documentary created by Penn State Public Broadcasting.  The $1 million dollar project is provocative and informing as it explores the deteriorating condition of U.S. water infrastructure.

Play Video Clip

Cable broadcast rights are now available for free to non-commercial, educational cable stations through April 30, 2010.  Contact WIL@wef.org for a list of provisions.

View a rapid-fire 16 minute overview.

LA icon overview