The nation has an estimated need of between $400 and $600 billion over the next 20 years for safe drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Last month, the Senate passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which authorized $10.6 billion in water infrastructure projects across the nation. Although this bill is designed for the national stage, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) praised the passage of the bill, as it will increase water infrastructure related spending in the state of Virginia. The bill will provide new water infrastructure in the Commonwealth for added resiliency, specifically in the Hampton Roads area. [1]
As one of the largest water and sewer service providers in the region, the Hampton Roads Sanitary Sewer District is a critical piece of infrastructure for the state of Virginia. In a report on NBC 29, Sen. Kaine addressed the importance of maintaining the Hampton Roads infrastructure. “I’m particularly pleased that this bill ensures the ongoing federal role in Hampton Roads resiliency efforts coordinated by the Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency at ODU and VIMS. The large amount of work already underway in this space is being done by many separate entities – the Navy, the Army Corps, federal agencies like FEMA and HUD, state agencies, Hampton Roads regional planning bodies and localities like Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach.” [1]
In the same report, Sen. Warner applauded the critical timing of the bill’s passage. “I am pleased to see that this bipartisan legislation addresses the funding needs of Flint and other communities that may experience drinking water crises while also boosting essential conservation and restoration priorities for Virginia. Chincoteague Island will receive additional support for flood and erosion controls, and the Chesapeake Bay restoration project will see a $40 million dollar increase.”
The American Society of Civil Engineers recently estimated that Virginia alone needs nearly $14 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure. [2] With $10.6 billion allocated for projects spanning the United States, the passage of the WRDA is a good first step towards finding a solution, but may require more funding. One thing is for certain, if the national infrastructure problem is to be addressed, continued and unimpeded bipartisan support will be required.
Published October 27, 2016
[1] United States Senate Office of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Warner and Kaine Praise Water Infrastructure Bill. NBC29.com, September 15, 2016. Web. http://www.nbc29.com/story/33104493/warner-and-kaine-praise-water-infrastructure-bill [2] American Society for Civil Engineering. 2016 Report Card for Virginia’s Infrastructure. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2016. Web. http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/virginia/virginia-overview/