미국 수자원 협회의 물 산업 리포터의 진술에 따르면 물과 폐수 처리시설의 상태와 오래된 상수도가 물 전문가와 물 산업에 종사하는 사람들이 직면한 최근 제일 큰 문제이다. 

낡은 식수와 폐수 시설 개선은 충분히 입증된 필요성으로 2004년부터 제일 큰 문제로 제기됐다.  2012년 미국 수자원 협회의 연구는 25년동안 식수 시설을 확장하고 교체하는데 1조 달러가 필요할 것이라고 밝혔다. 또한 폐수 비용도 비슷할 것으로 예상한다.

미국 수자원 협회의 상무인 David LaFrance는 “ 거리 아래에 흐르고 있는 수질 및 폐수처리 파이프는 현재와 미래에 필수적이다. ”,“그들은 공중 위생과 환경을 보호하고, 방화를 제공하고, 우리의 행복한 삶의 질을 매일 제공하고, 2014년 물 산업 리포터의 진술은 시민과 사업을 돕는다.”고 밝혔다.

According to the American Water Works Association's (AWWA) 2014 State of the Water Industry Report, the condition of water and wastewater infrastructure is the top current issue facing water professionals and those they serve, with long-term water supply second on the list.

The well-documented need to address aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure has been a top concern since the first State of the Water Industry Report in 2004. A 2012 AWWA study found that more than $1 trillion will be needed to replace and expand drinking water infrastructure alone over the next 25 years, and wastewater costs are thought to be similar. With such a figure looming, it's not surprising that financing capital projects was cited as the third most critical issue.

"The millions of miles of water and wastewater pipes running below our streets are essential today and for future generations," said AWWA Executive Director David LaFrance. "They protect public health and the environment, provide fire protection, sustain our businesses, and provide the everyday quality of life we enjoy. The 2014 State of the Water Industry Report makes clear that to help citizens and businesses, we need workable finance solutions to manage these mounting costs in the years ahead."

Last week, more than 130 water professionals met with members of the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. (See: "Water leaders push for passage of WIFIA on Capitol Hill") to advocate for funding of existing water finance tools and the creation of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority (WIFIA). The WIFIA program is being considered as part of the Water Resources Act currently in a conference committee.

With drought conditions persisting in California, Texas and elsewhere, the survey respondents rated several issues related to water resources as highly important. Long-term water supply availability was the second most important issue, groundwater management and overuse was sixth, watershed protection was seventh, and drought or periodic water shortages was eighth. Sixty-four percent of respondents indicated long-term water supply was critically important, and less than 1 percent rated it as unimportant.

Respondents also expressed concern about the public's understanding of the value of water resources and water systems -- the fourth and fifth issues respectively. AWWA is working alongside 11 other associations and private companies on the Value of Water Coalition, which seeks to raise awareness about the value of water and the importance of water and wastewater infrastructure. The AWWA State of the Water Industry Report captures the most pressing water issues as expressed by more than 1,700 North American water experts. It is available free of charge from AWWA's website.

[출처 = Waterworld / 2014년 4월 9일]