ASCE Report Card on Infrastructure

The American Society of Civil Engineers has just released their Report Card on the nation’s infrastructure.  The national infrastructure, as a whole got a D+, and drinking water got a D.  Specifically, for drinking water, ASCE highlights the great need and the poor condition of the infrastructure.  They cite concerns about leaks and main breaks but also promote the value of asset management.  They capture the vast scope of aging pipes that need to be replaced but also mention the number of cities that are overbuilt compared to their current population.  Beyond infrastructure, ASCE also recognizes the need for system resources for operations and testing, as well as other needs for resiliency and dealing with source water issues.   There’s nothing in the report card that will surprise state programs or public water systems, but it’s always good to have other influential engineering groups recognize the same issues.