Americans Want Federal Action On Infrastructure More Than Any Other Issue, Strong Support For Water Infrastructure Investment

Today the Value of Water Campaign released the results of a new poll, which found that two thirds of Americans want Congress and the Trump Administration to focus on infrastructure investment. As Infrastructure Week (May 15-19) kicks off tomorrow in Washington, D.C., no other issue that is on the agenda for federal policymakers has nearly as much broad and bipartisan support.

A resounding 67 percent said rebuilding America's infrastructure should be an extremely or very important focus for Congress and the Administration - compared to 56 percent for tax reform, 49 percent increasing funding for defense, 42 percent for repealing and replacing Obamacare, and even less support for other hot-button issues like building the Keystone XL Pipeline or building a wall on the border with Mexico.

Drinking water and wastewater systems are often "out-of-sight and out-of-mind" for most Americans, compared to other types of infrastructure like roads and bridges. But, 82 percent said rebuilding water infrastructure is extremely or very important. These opinions were widely shared across all demographic, geographic, and political sub-groups. In fact, across the political spectrum, overwhelming majorities believe that rebuilding our water infrastructure is extremely or very important, including 79 percent of Republicans, 82 percent of independents, and 85 percent of Democrats.

Radhika Fox, Value of Water Campaign Executive Director and US Water Alliance CEO said: "Water is essential to everything we do, but the infrastructure that brings clean water to and from homes and businesses is often taken for granted - or so we thought. This poll clearly shows that Americans value water infrastructure and believe it should be a top priority for investment. During Infrastructure Week, we call on President Trump, members of Congress, and policymakers across the country take note: Americans want action."

Lori Weigel, Public Opinion Strategies Partner, said: "The importance of rebuilding water infrastructure is one of the least partisan issues we have examined in quite some time. Voters across the political spectrum say infrastructure, and especially water infrastructure is very important for the President and Congress to address."

Eighty-seven percent of respondents supported increased federal investment in rebuilding our water infrastructure - including pipelines, pumps, treatment plants, reservoirs and other facilities - to ensure a safe, reliable supply of drinking water for all communities. Fifty percent of respondents said they strongly supported federal investment, and, again, the support cut across demographic and political sub-groups.

Public Opinion Strategies, in conjunction with FM3, conducted a poll on behalf of the Value of Water Campaign between April 28 and May 2, 2017. Respondents were 1,000 registered voters, 60 percent landline interviews and 40 percent cell phone. The margin of error is +/- 3.1%. An outline of key findings from the poll can be found here. 

About Value of Water Campaign
The Value of Water Campaign educates and inspires the nation about how water is essential, invaluable, and in need of investment. Spearheaded by top leaders in the water industry, the Value of Water Campaign is building public and political will for investment in America's water infrastructure.