COG and its water utility partners on the Community Engagement Campaign (CEC) will join the water community in a nationwide invitation to “Imagine a Day without Water” on October 12.

This day of education and advocacy led by the Value of Water Campaign is an opportunity to talk about the importance of water infrastructure and emphasize investments needed to grow the economy, create jobs, and ensure resiliency.

Local governments, water and wastewater utilities, and regional authorities have made significant investments and upgrades to their plants and systems, however, the systems also require maintenance, and need to expand regional water supplies and advance innovation. COG’s State of the Region: Infrastructure Report identified a $20 billion dollar water infrastructure funding gap over a 10 year period across the region’s critical water infrastructure: drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater.

“From reservoirs, to treatment plants, to pipes and concrete channels, water infrastructure—although often out of sight—is critical to the health, safety, and prosperity of metropolitan Washington and the entire country,” said Karen Pallansch, Chief Executive Officer of Alexandria Renew Enterprises and member of the CEC. “'Imagine a Day Without Water' is a time to reflect on the serious challenges that can occur when water infrastructure fails, to celebrate the innovative solutions being implemented across our region, and to assess what additional work needs to be done.”

According to the Value of Water Campaign, closing the estimated investment gap nationwide would result in over $220 billion dollars in total annual economic activity to the country.

MORE:
Imagine a Day Without Water 2017 Participants
Save the Date: Imagine a Day Without Water (AlexRenew & Virginia American Water)
Can you Imagine? (DC Water)