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.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand
For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.
Alabama scores up to $2.5 billion federal loan for largest infrastructure project in state’s history
The Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project aims to ease congestion at Alabama’s worst bottleneck.
Trump is considering data centers on 6 states' public land — some state officials say they had no idea
If the administration approves the proposed projects, data center and data center-related developments will cover 17,600 acres of public land.
Despite court ruling, Trump is keeping nearly all wind projects in the US on hold
At least 110 wind energy projects have not heard from the government since a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's freeze on wind turbine clearances was likely illegal.
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.
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello