FUNDING RESOURCES

• Water Systems Must Change Their Financial Outlook. Here’s Where To Start.

  Rural utilities face a slew of challenges, with aging infrastructure being among the most pressing.

• America’s Ports Are Preparing Large Projects For Launch

  Ports throughout the U.S. have extremely critical infrastructure needs, and port officials in numerous states are readying projects for launch. America’s ports are in desperate need of modernization, expansion, upgrades, and repairs if they are to remain viable. Because of the economic contributions that ports provide to the U.S. economy, officials can no longer ignore or defer these essential projects.

• American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) And Drinking Water Infrastructure Opportunities

  As the $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed by the Senate last month would authorize $55 billion in federal spending on water and wastewater infrastructure, contractors in the space are no doubt keeping a close eye on it.

• 5 Ways Regional Leaders Can Prepare Future Infrastructure Workers Now

  Federal policymakers are on the verge of advancing two historic pieces of legislation: a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package. While the ultimate fate of both is up in the air, one point is clear: Policymakers are focused on creating more jobs and supporting more workers following the COVID-19 recession.

• House Committee Makes Down Payment On Clean Water Needs

  The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee is moving forward with a measure that would invest $3.7 billion in critical wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. These resources will help communities across the country struggling with sewage spills, inadequate sanitation, and destructive urban flooding.

• Balancing The Costs Of Water For Utilities And Customers

  The cost of municipal water management, including infrastructure renewal, relies on revenue from ratepayers, but affordability of services is a prime concern as well. A recent report from Black & Veatch looks at large cities and recent trends regarding this delicate balance.

• WWEMA Window: Governmental Policy And The Impacts On Construction Costs

  There are a few current governmental policies that have impacted the construction cost of water and wastewater infrastructure over the last several years. Some are older policies that were established many years ago and some are newer policies that were implemented to help U.S. manufacturers compete in these markets against foreign manufacturers. There is some discussion now in Washington to implement more policies such as $15 minimum wage and revisions to the Made in America requirements for purchases using federal money, both direct and indirect.

• Nation’s Aging Water Infrastructure Thirsts For Faster Action

  America’s water infrastructure may soon get the attention it deserves now that funding is available. Billions of dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are on the way to public officials throughout the United States. Most states are allocating additional funding as well, and many local officials will take advantage of consolidating the two new revenue sources to finance large and costly projects.

• The Shape Of Water, Starring AWWA’s Tracy Mehan

  If water-industry superstars were celebrated like entertainers, an introduction to G. Tracy Mehan III wouldn’t be necessary. But water, as industry veterans know, doesn’t quite get the attention it deserves … until services are threatened. At that point, as all along, we turn to our water leaders for answers.

• The Contractor’s Song: The Times They Are A-Changin’ — Managing Commodity Volatility In Water Infrastructure

  Bob Dylan clearly didn’t mean to describe in his song, “The Times They Are A-Changin,” the tremendous upswing in commodity prices that has occurred in the last six months and that could potentially “drench” our projects with added uncertainty and costs, but it is certainly true that one thing we can all count on is that in all times, things change. In our role of  building water infrastructure projects, there is no doubt that managing change is one of the biggest requirements. So, let’s walk down the path of pricing change that has gotten a lot of people’s attention recently.