https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com

Public Works & Utilities


Article

Water security

Water security

How conservation efforts, pollution reductions and green infrastructure can help sustain America water supply and infrastructure.
  • Written by Derek Prall
  • 20th August 2014

Local governments across the country are facing water shortages, due to natural resources drying up, or aging infrastructure breaking down. Unless priority is placed on ensuring the sustainability of our nation’s water supply and infrastructure, water security will remain in jeopardy.

Over the next two decades, the American Society of Civil Engineers estimates water infrastructure needs across the U.S. will total more than $630 billion, to maintain the current level of service. The costs to replace all aging infrastructure could be in the trillions.

One way municipalities can protect themselves from these costs is by integrating water efficiency programs, green infrastructure and flood resiliency plans into State Revolving Funds (SRF). In a recent report, titled Using State Revolving Funds to Build Climate-Resilient Communities, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) argues that as part of a proactive plan, SRFs will help make communities more sustainable and boost local economies by creating water sector jobs.

Environmental Protection Agency State Revolving Funds for both drinking water and clean water have provided state and local governments with more than $125 billion to finance water projects across the country. But according to the NRDC, these federal resources have been underutilized in protecting against flooding, drought and other climate change-associated risks.  

One state government utilizing these funds to become more climate-change resilient is Illinois, which will be using SRF financing to build green infrastructure such as green roofs and rain gardens and to rebuild aging wastewater infrastructure.

Another way municipalities can ensure the sustainability of their water supplies is through conservation projects. A seperate NRDC report, titled Waste Less Pollute Less, argues that in a time of chronic water scarcity, as demand increases and supply becomes more strained, more communities will be challenged to maintain adequate water supplies.

But there are several ways municipalities can curtail water usage, such as incorporating water-efficient fixtures and appliances in zoning and by supplementing local water supplies by capturing rainwater for reuse or to recharge groundwater. 

And by reducing pollution and waste, the NRDC argues communities can further relieve stress on water supplies, reduce costs for consumers and keep ecosystems healthy. Several communities highlighted in the report, including Los Angeles, New York and San Antonio, Texas, have seen the benefits of such actions. 


For more information on water sustainability issues, watch a roundtable discussion with the two report’s authors below.

_____________

To get connected and stay up-to-date with similar content from American City & County:
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
Watch us on Youtube

Tags: Public Works & Utilities Article

Most Recent


  • Amid an unprecedented increase in federal spending, cities and counties stand to benefit from partnerships
    The so-called “American dream” of upward mobility has more or less stagnated: Today, a little more than 40 percent of children raised at the bottom of the income ladder remain there as adults, according to Pew Charitable Trusts, and only half grow up to earn more than their parents. This data points to a concerning […]
  • Cities Connecting Children to Nature initiative adds 15 new cities to program
    Researchers have correlated access to nature with positive impacts like lower stress and anxiety, leading to higher academic achievement, increased emotional learning, stronger social connections, better self esteem, and a greater sense of environmental stewardship. But in today’s built environment, where concrete and brick dominate landscapes, nature is often a car drive or train ride away—and […]
  • urban placemaking
    Making urban placemaking equitable through collaboration
    What makes a city a city? Ask 10 people, and you’ll likely receive 10 different answers: the community, the buildings, the culture, the restaurants. But one element that has an outsized impact on a city’s character—yet is often overlooked—is urban placemaking. Urban placemaking is an overarching approach and a set of hands-on strategies that center […]
  • Historic infrastructure investment presents opportunity to improve roadway safety
    Two years ago, the pandemic changed everything—remote work became normalized; the popularity of delivery services went through the roof; roadway deaths spiked with fewer commuters and wide-open highways. They haven’t come down. “The reality in America right now is that no matter the size of your community or whether it is urban, suburban or rural, […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • NLC releases State of Cities 2021 report
  • How local governments can get ahead of the infrastructure wave: Strategies to mitigate risk
  • Prioritizing rapid restore leads to stronger ransomware attack recovery
  • Ultrafast electric vehicle charging will propel local governments into the future

White papers


How to Assemble a Rockstar Website Redesign Steering Committee

7th June 2022

Hand Hygiene: Compliance Matters

23rd May 2022

What it Takes to Build a Winning Esports Program

23rd May 2022
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

Report: Local and state governments are facing a retention crisis; the worst could be yet to come dlvr.it/SSnmS7

24th June 2022
AmerCityCounty

Amid an unprecedented increase in federal spending, cities and counties stand to benefit from partnerships dlvr.it/SSkGBn

23rd June 2022
AmerCityCounty

Governments using technology to harness data and improve decision-making dlvr.it/SSk3H0

23rd June 2022
AmerCityCounty

Infrastructure highlighted by city leaders as top priority in analysis of 60 mayoral addresses dlvr.it/SSgBck

22nd June 2022
AmerCityCounty

Oklahoma City puts the focus on employees when implementing changes in office technology dlvr.it/SSfyns

22nd June 2022
AmerCityCounty

We want to hear from you! Please take this brief survey and let us know how your organization is managing your budg… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

22nd June 2022
AmerCityCounty

Buying smart solutions: Technology is now part of (almost) every government purchase dlvr.it/SSbj3Z

21st June 2022
AmerCityCounty

Amid tech labor shortage, outsourcing digital services could provide relief dlvr.it/SSbj23

21st June 2022

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X