Value of Water Coalition Spotlights Innovative Water Projects During Infrastructure Week 2015

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Value of Water Coalition is highlighting innovative water practices and infrastructure projects across the country during Infrastructure Week 2015 (May 11-15) through the release of a new briefing paper and events from coast to coast. After working around the clock for more than 100 years, our water infrastructure is aging and failing. In America today, a water main breaks every two minutes. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that $4.8 trillion needs to be invested in water infrastructure over the next 20 years to maintain a state of good repair.

"Building reliable water and wastewater systems for communities across the United States was a crowning achievement of the 20^th century. Since then, public and private utilities have been putting people to work to construct, operate and maintain essential infrastructure that Americans rely on daily," said Radhika Fox, director of the Value of Water Coalition. "Now we are facing water infrastructure challenges as those old systems are over-burdened and worn out, but it is not all bleak. Water leaders are forging innovative solutions to our most pressing water problems. That is the hopeful news from Infrastructure Week—our problems are big, but our capacity for innovation is greater."

Across the country, water providers as well as water-reliant businesses are rising to the challenge and creating innovative solutions to solve local and national water-centric problems.

• In Minneapolis, Dow Water & Process Solutions is leading the way with sustainable separation and purification technologies. Dow, a Value of Water Coalition member, will host an event on Friday May 15^th with national and local stakeholders to spotlight innovations in addressing water resource and supply challenges and also discuss the growing Twin Cities water technology cluster.
• The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District will host a week-long series of behind-the-scenes tours of the region's wastewater system for Cleveland-area civic leaders and media. Follow the Flow will trace wastewater's path from the sewer system to Lake Erie, highlighting the tremendous value of investments in clean water infrastructure for the region.
• Philadelphia Water and American Water will co-host, with the Economy League of Philadelphia and media partner WHYY, a forum on the state of water infrastructure and the innovative investments in Philadelphia's water system and across the Keystone State.
• The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission will spotlight how investments in water infrastructure are investments in jobs and the community at the 9th Annual Construction Contractors Breakfast. During the event, partner firms and the SFPUC will announce a $140,000 commitment for funding STEM curriculum at the Willie L. Brown Middle School.
• In Chicago, Value of Water Coalition will co-host an event with the Metropolitan Planning Council, the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings, and the Union League of Chicago to discuss how to finance, build, develop and deliver world class infrastructure and services.
• Finally, in Washington, D.C., representatives from the Value of Water Coalition will meet with members of Congress to discuss the essential service that water infrastructure provides and the need for infrastructure investment.

During Infrastructure Week 2015, more than 80 organizations are set to host dozens of events. Participants in Infrastructure Week events will range from Vice President Biden and cabinet secretaries to local city councilmembers, academics, utility groups and private sector partners, all coming together to raise awareness about the state of infrastructure in our country and highlight the need for investment. For more information please visit http://infrastructureweek.org/ and follow the conversation at #RebuildRenew on Twitter.

About the Value of Water Coalition
The Value of Water Coalition builds national will for investment in water infrastructure and water resources. The Coalition has come together to advance positive solutions to our nation's pressing water challenges.

Members include: Alexandria Renew Enterprises, American Water, American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, Black & Veatch, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, CH2M Hill, DC Water, Dow Chemical Company, Hampton Roads Sanitation District, Kansas City Water Services, Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, MWH Global, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Philadelphia Water Department, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, United Water, U.S. Water Alliance, Veolia, Water Environment Federation and Xylem.

Learn more about The Value of Water coalition at thevalueofwater.org and follow us on Twitter @TheValueofWater.       

SOURCE Value of Water Coalition

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