Earlier this year, we introduced the idea of Six Pillars that must be addressed to reverse the dire state of America's water infrastructure. The solution lies in leadership and a plan that addresses these many challenges comprehensively. Pillar #1 is Education. Before...
Inflow & Infiltration
Green Infrastructure: Three Key Concepts for Municipal Officials
As municipal officials look to improve infrastructure, rehabilitate distressed neighborhoods and make communities more livable, many are turning to green infrastructure, which uses existing infrastructure, such as parks, to contain and filter water and direct it away...
What Will it Take to Rebuild the Modern US Water Infrastructure?
Infrastructure proponents were disappointed by the lack of details addressing the aging US water infrastructure in President Trump’s Feb. 5 State of the Union address. Trump issued a call for bipartisan cooperation on the issue, but no details. "Both parties should be...
Low Water Pressure Problems: Don’t Let It Get Your Residents Down
Sometimes more pressure is a good thing! When it comes to your customers' showers, sinks, and bathtubs, low water pressure can be a real downer. Your residents turn on the shower and get a weak drizzle or can’t run the sink and washer at the same time without the...
From Rome To New Jersey: A History Of Water And Public Health
The relationship between public health, clean water and sanitation has been explored since ancient times – the Greeks observed a connection between lifestyle, social class and health, but there were no public water supplies or sewers. It is speculated many ancient...
Is Your Water System Reaching The End Of Its Life Span?
Approximately 90 percent of Americans get their water from a public water system, and the country’s overall infrastructure has been graded D-plus by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Drinking water systems received a D and waste water systems a D-plus –...
Resiliency In Action
For the past three years, the National League of Cities (NLC), the Urban Land Institute (ULI), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) have joined efforts to host the Resilient Cities Summit, providing a forum for cities to discuss how they can be better prepared...
Lead in Water: Utilities and Homeowners Must Both Have Skin In the Game to Protect Public Safety
June is National Safety Month, a time when we should consider how to promote safety in our homes and workplaces. There have been many articles and stories in the news covering the lead in water issue. Here are a few highlights, along with some stories from cities who...
National League Of Cities Service Line Program: Helping Municipal Infrastructure
The National League of Cities (NLC) Service Line Warranty Program helps residents of partner municipalities repair or replace thousands of water and sewer laterals every year. The Program has helped more than 140,000 residents in cities and towns around the U.S. save...
US Infrastructure Grade is Failing
The recent release of the 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card showed no improvement in the overall grade for the nation's infrastructure, holding steady at D+ overall, compared to the last report issued in 2013. The ASCE defines...
SearchSubscribe to Monthly Emails
Recent Posts
Aging Water Infrastructure: Impacts and Innovation
No one disputes water is one of our most precious resources and crucial to life. A human being can survive several weeks without food, but for not more than 48 hours without water. The U.S. uses 322 billion gallons of water each day, with 39 billion gallons processed...
NLC City Summit Nov 2019 Panel Discussion – Effect of Infrastructure Issues on Municipalities and Residents
Panel discussion from the NLC Summit Nov 2019
Looking At the Future of Infrastructure
As Congress and the president eye a bipartisan effort at improving our aging infrastructure, the time for a wide-reaching infrastructure program to rebuild water, electric, transportation and information infrastructure, is now. The need for locally-based planning and...