Bob Herbert warns that the country is allowing its water systems to deteriorate despite a widely evidenced need for upgrades.
Many of the country's water systems date back to the Civil War, and they received a collective D-minus in the American Society of Civil Engineers' last round of infrastructure grades. However, the need for major improvements remains ignored by the public and politicians, who tend to take water delivery and sewage removal for granted, says Herbert.
The corrosion of the nation's water systems is indicative of an ongoing failure of leadership when it comes to infrastructure, Herbert writes:
"If public officials would provide honest leadership on this and other infrastructure issues, making a sound case for the investments that are needed and the benefits that would accrue from rebuilding America's infrastructure, the public would be likely to sign on."
Read the full story: The Corrosion of America
Climate change is battering US water systems
The American Water Works Association estimates that roughly $2 trillion will be needed to update municipal water systems for contemporary conditions.
Public works officials indicate alarming decline in condition of water and sewer systems
Increased awareness of infrastructure issues combined with aging equipment and more extreme weather are leading more public works officials to feel their local systems are 'unsatisfactory.'
Aging Kentucky Water Systems Lack Funding and Resources
The state needs close to $8 billion over the next two decades to maintain and modernize its rural water infrastructure.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060
Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.
LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.
Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code
The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
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Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
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Montrose County
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