In-depth news stories on water woes nationwide troubling; action needed

Even the most rabid anti- government advocates need clean drinking water to live and good quality roads and sturdy bridges on which to travel safely. And yet, the “get government out of our lives” crowd refuses to face the realities that were laid out in great detail by the Associated Press on the front page of The Vindicator two Sundays ago.

The wire service’s in-depth pieces, headlined “Water infrastructure won’t be cheap to repair,” and “Cities bear rising costs of keeping water safe,” should serve as a wake-up call for the federal government, which has ultimate responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of the American people.

Indeed, the administration of President Barack Obama proposed a “Build America Investment Initiative” in July 2014, calling on federal agencies to find new ways to increase investment in ports, roads, bridges, broadband networks, drinking water and sewer systems and other projects by facilitating partnerships between federal, state and local governments and private sector investors.

Then earlier this year, the administration announced new steps that federal agencies are taking to bring private sector capital and expertise to bear on improving our nation’s roads, bridges, and broadband networks. Among the initiatives is a new Water Finance Center at the Environmental Protection Agency, which would help local and state governments access federal loan and grant programs to get more projects off the ground.

As for transportation, Obama’s 2016 budget proposes to use $238 billion in one-time transition revenue from pro-growth business tax reform to fill the Highway Trust Fund funding shortfall and make critical new infrastructure investments as part of a $478 billion, six-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal.

Partisan politics

Unfortunately, partisan politics has reared its ugly head on Capitol Hill. The far-right wing of the Republican majorities in the House and Senate, led by tea-party adherents, have made it clear that the president’s proposals are going nowhere.

The split within the Republican caucus in the House prompted Speaker John Boehner of Ohio to announce his resignation from Congress at the end of this month.

There also are calls for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to step down.

The reason? Both men believe that just saying no to everything the Obama administration proposes is not governing. Boehner and McConnell have correctly concluded there are too many important issues that must be addressed if America is to remain the world’s leading economy.

The Associated Press stories on the nation’s water woes raise troubling questions about the future of many communities around the country.

Here are a few facts lawmakers in Washington would do well to consider:

More than 1 million miles of underground pipes distribute water to American homes, and maintaining that network remains the largest and costliest long-term concern.

An estimated 700 main breaks occur around the U.S. every day.

Up to 20,000 miles of pipe will need to be replaced annually beginning around 2035 – up from 5,000 miles currently.

The cost of replacing each mile of pipe can be $500,000 or more.

But pipes aren’t the only concern.

Treatment plants need to be replaced or rebuilt at a cost of tens of millions of dollars, even in small communities.

And here’s the reality check for anyone who believes that the federal government is spending enough on the nation’s infrastructure: The federal dollars available to address the ever-growing problem of clean, safe drinking water is a drop in the bucket.

“The future is getting a little dark for something as basic and fundamental as water,” the Associated Press quoted Adam Krantz of the Water Infrastructure Network as saying. The network is a lobbying group that is fighting cuts to key federal water programs.

Although the anti-government wing of the Republican Party in Congress has been emboldened by Boehner’s resignation, those lawmakers are also politicians who need to win elections.

Thus, the American people have the final say on issues that affect their lives. It’s time they raised their voices.