Latest report card highlights the pressing need for investment and innovation across all types of infrastructure.
In a sweeping assessment of the current state of infrastructure in the United States, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) launched its 2021 infrastructure report card today. The report card, updated every four years, evaluates the current ability of infrastructure to meet demand, particularly as it compares to the level of funding and investment available across the nation.
Arcadis’ Celine Hyer was one of 32 authors on the report card, and one of four authors for the wastewater and water infrastructure assessments specifically. The water infrastructure grade improved in comparison to the 2017 report card while the wastewater infrastructure grade remained the same. At a C- and D+ respectively, the 2021 grades leave room for significant improvement.
"The 2021 ASCE infrastructure report card highlights progress in water infrastructure, but more importantly, stresses the need for continued investment in both water and wastewater, and the application of asset management principles and innovation to protect public health, extend asset life, prioritize needs, and prepare for future challenges in an ever-changing landscape,” said Hyer, who leads Arcadis’ water conveyance practice.
The report card factors in data points and trends across infrastructure in order to finalize the grades. Such factors include system capacity and condition, upcoming policy and legislation, health and safety and the threat of climate change and natural disasters. The findings are intended to be a guide for policy makers and governing bodies to identify the best path forward to ensure critical systems are fit-for-future.
The full report and additional detail about the grading scale, considerations and future outlook can be found here.
