Infrastructure Week 2015 is underway. From May 11-15, leaders and organizations that care about infrastructure issues will come together to raise awareness about the often neglected pipes, bridges, roads and rails that keep our nation running and give Americans a high quality of life.
But it isn’t all bad news. Infrastructure Week is also an opportunity to spotlight the innovations and technological advancements that are paving the way toward more efficient, more effective, and greener forms of infrastructure. In our new briefing paper we highlight Value of Water Coalition members that are meeting big challenges with innovative solutions. Through capital investments, technological innovations, creative financing tools, and cross-sector partnerships, water leaders are building stronger communities and a stronger America.
Our paper takes a look at water innovation in Cleveland, San Francisco, The Twin Cities, Chicago, and Philadelphia. In Cleveland a $3 billion initiative will contribute an estimated $6 billion to the region over the next decade and support 4,000 jobs. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is working to remedy social inequalities, introduce green infrastructure, and educate the next generation of environmental stewards. With coalition member Dow Chemical, the Twin Cities is using water innovation to attract businesses, talent, and capital to the region. In Chicago, a public-private partnership is demonstrating that water is a beneficial resource for agriculture, industry, and the city’s residents. And in Philadelphia, green infrastructure has helped save customers money while improving service and strengthening the economy.
The Value of Water Coalition hopes that we can capture the public’s imagination during Infrastructure Week and put on full display the tireless work and the ingenious innovations happening in the water sector.
