Yesterday, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its 2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure with its updated grades on the condition of our country's roads, bridges, drinking water systems, transit systems, and schools among others.

Jack Hoffbuhr, executive director of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), issued the following statement concerning this report:

"U.S. citizens enjoy one of world's most magnificent water systems, with more than 700,000 miles of pipes serving some 250 million people. Much of this system was constructed through the ingenuity and sweat of previous generations, and we all share the responsibility of maintaining it.

"While the country's water utilities continue to provide the safest drinking water in the world, many pockets of aging water infrastructure require maintenance or replacement. The cost of repairs to our nation's water infrastructure is significant—at least $250 billion over the next three decades. For most utilities, this represents a challenge, not a crisis, and they will meet expenses through reasonable rate structures and other local charges.

"However, some utilities are more heavily challenged by expensive federal mandates such as Combined Sewer Overflow controls; by population declines and resulting stranded assets; by the costs of meeting new standards or security enhancements; or by economic hardship in the community. In these cases, a significant increase in federal support for water and wastewater infrastructure may be necessary.

"Good stewardship implies the need to increase investment in infrastructure over the next several decades. The time to start this important work is now.

Source: AWWA