The State of the Union in Water

Last night, Barack Obama reminded the nation of the vital role the government needs to play in support of innovation, education, and infrastructure.  Obama mentioned the transportation, biotech, energy, and information technology sectors, but it is important that we add water to this list as well.

Members of the Water Alliance recognize that we need to transform the way water is managed so we can continue to assure the safety of the food, water, and air that the President said are so important to Americans. Water infrastructure is falling apart from neglect and water pollution is on the rise. But investing in the 20th Century model of big-pipe grids is not affordable and not up to the 21st Century challenges of climate change, energy production, and increasing population.

China, Singapore, Australia, and European countries have recognized these new realities and are moving fast to seize the competitive advantage in infrastructure that reuses water, energy and nutrients from wastewater, utilizes natural systems, and lightens the water footprint of buildings and subdivisions.  

It is time to unleash the genius of American engineers and scientists in finding better technologies and designs and time to support the creativity and good intentions of America's cities and towns, by piloting and adopting approaches that save taxpayer dollars and do a better job at protecting the nation's waters and ecosystems.

As the President said: "This is our Sputnik moment." We agree. It is time to redirect outmoded water subsidies into research and development and to provide challenge grants for those communities and engineers that have a better idea.  Americans can once again provide the leadership in water science, technology, jobs, and sustainable development and the federal government can inspire and support our response to the water challenges just beyond the horizon.