WASHINGTON – For the first time in its history, the American Society of Civil Engineers has given our nation’s stormwater infrastructure a grade as part of its quadrennial Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.

“Unfortunately, its inaugural grade was a D,” moderator Greg DiLoreto, former ASCE president, said during the announcement.

The ASCE infrastructure grades, collected in 17 categories, included a D+ for wastewater and a C- for drinking water as well. Following the grade announcement, a panel including Radhika Fox, acting assistant administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water, Susan Moisio, Global Water Director, Jacobs; Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities; and Pam Elardo, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Wastewater Treatment at New York City Department of Environmental Protection spoke about the need for a “One Water” approach to solving our nation’s infrastructure challenges.

Fox hinted that the EPA is set to announce new grants worth about $60 million for sewer overflow and stormwater reuse municipal projects during the panel discussion.

“It’s a drop in the bucket relative to the need of what we have as far as the stormwater challenge,” said Fox, acting assistant administrator at the agency’s Office of Water, “but it is, I think, a step in the right direction.”

RELATED: Report Card reveals infrastructure picture for water, wastewater (WaterWorld.com)

Skip to the 4:13 mark to hear Celine Hyer, P.E., member of ASCE's Committee on America’s Infrastructure and the Senior Vice President and Water Conveyance Leader for Arcadis discuss the stormwater infrastructure grade.