Road to Repair Urges Long-Term Water Infrastructure Investments
Greg Lalevee, Mark Longo Provide Comments on New Jersey Water Supply Plan
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, N.J., July 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Draft Water Supply Plan, this week Greg Lalevee, Chairman of the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative Business Manager of IUOE Local 825 and Vice President of the IUOE's General Executive Board and Mark Longo, Director of the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative urged long-term investments in the state's water infrastructure systems.
"Hearings this week around the New Jersey Water Supply Plan underscore the urgent actions New Jersey must take in safeguarding and improving our water supply," said Greg Lalevee. "Experts estimate that New Jersey's water systems require $8 billion over the next 10 years to safeguard supply and ensure delivery and disposal of water and waste, respectively. While this is certainly a hefty investment, with the health and safety of our residents on the line, it's one that we must make."
A recent report card by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) awarded the state's drinking water systems an average or "C" rating. An analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that nearly 4.5 million New Jerseyans were exposed to potentially hazardous drinking water in 2015.
"Not only is addressing our water infrastructure crisis a smart public health decision, it also makes economic sense," said Mark Longo. "Investing in our water infrastructure will create jobs, boost economic growth and efficiency, and make New Jersey a better place to work and live."
Operating from crisis to crisis rather than through planned upgrades and maintenance not only impacts quality of life and causes inconvenience, but also costs more. The longer we wait, the more expensive it becomes to address New Jersey's water crisis. 30% of treated potable water is wasted by leaking, an unnecessary cost that is passed onto the ratepayer. Simply put, acting on water will save money.
This is an expanded effort of the Road to Repair Campaign to focus on New Jersey's ailing water infrastructure and inadequate sewage and disposal systems that, left unaddressed, pose a growing threat to public health and economic growth.
About the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative
ELEC, is a labor-management organization that promotes economic development, investments in infrastructure and construction to provide opportunities for developers, union contractors and members of Operating Engineers Local 825. We find common ground with chambers of commerce, business partnerships, professional associations and industry coalitions to support policies, legislation and regulations that encourage responsible economic development and stimulate growth. Our efforts continue to build on the record of quality and safety in construction that has come to define work performed by Local 825 Operating Engineers and its signatory contractors.
SOURCE Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative
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