Value Of Water Coalition Members Lauded As ‘Game Changers' In New National Report From American Society Of Civil Engineers

Leading Voice in Infrastructure Commends DC Water, Philadelphia Water Department, LA Sanitation, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago for Visionary Projects

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its “Infrastructure Game Changers” report last week in the nation’s capital, spotlighting innovative projects across water, surface transportation, freight, and more. Several Value of Water Coalition members were commended for visionary water projects which are forging the way for innovative partnerships, sustainability, environmental stewardship, cost and energy savings, and beyond.

DC Water, Philadelphia Water, LA Sanitation, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago were all featured in ASCE’s report as well as two American Water projects. All are members of the Value of Water Coalition.

Radhika Fox, Director of the Value of Water Coalition, said: “I am thrilled but not surprised to see so many Value of Water Coalition partners in the spotlight for their vision and innovation in the water industry. Water providers across the country are stepping up and pursuing creative means for solving some of our most challenging problems. Cities like Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles have to deal with changing weather patterns, storms, droughts, growing populations all on top of often old and outdated water systems. We have to innovate so we can continue to bring clean, safe, reliable water service to communities now and in the future and our Coalition partners are truly game changers in their regions and a model for the nation.”

“Civil engineers are by nature problem solvers,” said Robert D. Stevens, PhD, PE, President of the American Society of Civil Engineers. “There are a lot of innovative ideas coming to fruition that can modernize our nation’s infrastructure. However, these game changers will only become the norm if we seize the opportunity and invest, not just be satisfied with maintaining the status quo.”

DC Water and Philadelphia Water were recognized for using solid waste as an energy source for treating water and running their operations. DC Water was also lauded for its massive underground tunnel project designed to reduce untreated water runoff from flowing into local rivers. LA Sanitation was recognized for water recycling, a critical issue in water-starved Southern California. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago was also recognized for an innovative water capture and reuse project. Value of Water Coalition member American Water is partnering with MWRD on its reclamation project and operates the U.S.’s largest seawater desalination plant in Tampa Bay, which was also featured as a game changer in the ASCE report.

Read more about the water game changers at http://ascegamechangers.org/topics/water and learn more about the Value of Water Coalition and our members at http://thevalueofwater.org/about-us/members.

About The Value of Water Coalition
The Value of Water Coalition builds national will for investment in water infrastructure and water resources. The Coalition has come together to advance positive solutions to our nation's pressing water challenges. Members include: Alexandria Renew Enterprises, American Water, American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, Atlanta Watershed Management, Black & Veatch, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, CH2M HILL, DC Water, Dow Chemical Company, Hampton Roads Sanitation District, Hazen, Kansas City Water Services, LA Sanitation, Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, MWH Global, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Philadelphia Water Department, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, United Water, U.S. Water Alliance, Veolia, Water Environment Federation and Xylem. For more information, visit thevalueofwater.org.