The Clear Take on Water and Wastewater Today

Why investing in your water systems is a smart idea.

Chad Meyer’s article above talks to this year’s Earth Day theme: “Invest in Our Planet.” There are many things individuals can do and there are many things our nation and our cities must do – particularly when it comes to water and wastewater infrastructure. The national numbers are astounding, as are the equivalent numbers at the community level. Investment has been needed for a long time and it’s needed now more than ever. As you consider these national statistics and plan for the future of your community’s systems, we want you to know we understand and empathize with you about what it’s going to take – and there’s only so much money and labor to go around.

That’s why we advocate for hiring experts like us to help manage, operate and maintain your systems. Because we’ve been in the Midwest for close to 35 years, and because the tenure of our staff is long, we’ve just about seen it all. It can often take just one step inside the plant for our operator or region manager to see, hear or smell something that just isn’t right. This leg up is invaluable when it comes to recognizing what needs to be done and in what order to assure safe operations.

When we come aboard as expert partner, we work with the community and engineers to develop plans to upgrade plants at the most efficient cost and the most reasonable timeline. And this is while we’re managing the day-to-day operations to assure your water and wastewater is safe and clean for people and the environment.

Your investment in us assures you that your budget is being efficiently and effectively managed. Our presence on board assures you that we’ve got your back on this – freeing you from worry and management of people – to plan for the future of your community and its economic viability.

You’re going to invest one way or the other. Let us be the expert labor in the equation so you can devote more time and money to necessary infrastructure needs. Want to talk more? Contact Chris McMillen at CMcMillen@PeopleService.com.

Astounding national infrastructure statistics.

  • There are approximately 151,000 public water systems in the United States according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Several areas of the nation are still using water infrastructure systems that pre-date the Civil War.
  • In 2021 the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave the nation’s drinking water systems a C- and wastewater systems a D+.  According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s 2018 Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment it is estimated that drinking water utilities will need to invest $472.6 billion over the next 20 years in order to provide safe and sufficient water to the American public.
  • There are 14,748 wastewater treatment facilities across the nation. Demand on treatment plants will grow more than 23% by 2032. Capital investment needs for the nation’s wastewater and storm water systems are estimated to total $271 billion over the next twenty years to meet current and future demands. If these systems fail and our drinking and ground water becomes contaminated, we will find ourselves dealing with a crisis of such significance that the costs could be far more than we are able to afford in terms of dollars, quality of life and future cleanliness of our water supply.  A one-day disruption in water service would cost $43.5 billion in sales and $22.5 billion in GDP.  An eight-day disruption would shrink the annual GDP by one percent.  We must not let these systems fall into a state of disrepair.

According to the ASCE Value of Water Campaign 2019 Study:

  • Failing water infrastructure could result in $7.7 billion in cumulative health-care costs to households over the next 20 years.
  • Water and wastewater infrastructure failures cost U.S. households $2 billion in 2019.
  • In 2039, increasing service disruptions would cost households $14 billion.
  • Service disruptions would cost water-reliant businesses $250 billion by 2039.
  • Underinvestment would lead to a cumulative $2.9 trillion decline in the gross domestic product by 2039.
  • Costs incurred by US households due to water and wastewater failures would be seven times higher in 20 years than they are today.