World Resources Institute | By: Betsy Otto | Suzanne Ozment | May 16, 2017:
Natural infrastructure like healthy forests can support clean water.
America’s water infrastructure is in a state of disrepair, as evidenced by disasters such as the public health crisis in Flint, Michigan and dangerous flooding at the Oroville Dam.
While water infrastructure like treatment facilities, flood control systems, pipes, wastewater treatment plants and reservoirs are essential for public health and safety, our current, aging systems are inadequate for today’s needs.
For example, in order to fulfill the growing demand for safe drinking water in the United States, the million-plus miles of water pipes across the country will require $1 trillion in investments over the next 25 years.
Across party lines, a growing chorus is calling for urgent action to address current infrastructure shortcomings.
These voices are rallying together for Infrastructure Week, a time for U.S. government, industry groups and nonprofits to confront issues faced by our nation’s roads, sewage systems, energy grids and more.
This year’s motto, “Across America, It’s #TimeToBuild,” emphasizes traditional, engineered systems. But ramping up water infrastructure means looking beyond building new pipes and pumps.
While traditional, “gray” infrastructure is essential, we also must focus on growing, restoring and preserving our nation’s “natural infrastructure,” such as forests.
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