U.S. EPA Administrator To Spotlight Economic Benefits Of Water Infrastructure For A Stronger, More Competitive America

McCarthy, utility leaders from Chicago, New Orleans & San Francisco to discuss link between water, jobs at next week’s exclusive press event

What: The Water Environment Federation (WEF), with support from the Value of Water Coalition, will present Water Works: Investing Together for a Stronger America. This exclusive WEFTEC press event will explore the idea of investing in water and wastewater infrastructure as one of the best ways to put people to work and grow a stronger, more financially secure and competitive nation.

This link is supported by the findings of a new national report that profiled 30 U.S. communities of varied populations, climates, and economic structures. Released earlier this month in Washington, DC, “The Economic and Labor Impact of the Water Sector” finds that these communities—servicing a total of 83 million people across the nation—will be investing $254B into water infrastructure projects over the next decade. This investment is expected to result into $52B in annual economic output that will support 289,000 jobs nationwide.

Featuring remarks from EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and general managers from three of the 30 profiled communities—Chicago, New Orleans, and San Francisco—this special event will include an overview of the new report and the exclusive opportunity to discuss it with influential leaders and decision-makers.

Who: WEF President Sandra Ralston will open the program and introduce the following dignitaries:

• Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Cedric Grant, Executive Director of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
• Harlan Kelly, Jr., General Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities
• David St. Pierre, Executive Director, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

When: Mon, Sept. 29, 9:45 a.m.-10:15 a.m., immediately following the Opening General Session

Where: New Orleans Morial Convention Center, Great Hall Foyer

Why: Water is tied to nearly everything we value including our health, our environment, our economy and our quality of life. From agriculture to manufacturing to transportation to tourism, America’s economy runs on water. Water puts people to work and spurs economic growth, yet the state of our water infrastructure is at a critical stage. After working around the clock for more than 100 years, U.S. water infrastructure is aging and failing. Local and national leaders are joining forces to build awareness of the economic importance of water and the valuable dividends of short- and long-term investment.

Complimentary registration is available for credentialed media representatives. Badges can be obtained in Room 269, Hall H of the New Orleans Morial Convention Center beginning Sunday, September 28 at 8:30 a.m.

Make THE Water Quality Event, YOUR Water Quality Event
WEFTEC 2014 will be held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center from Sept. 27-Oct.1. For the latest conference information and registration details, visit www.weftec.org. For the full program and latest updates at your fingertips, download the WEFTEC MobileApp.

About WEF
Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF members, Member Associations and staff proudly work to achieve our mission to provide bold leadership, champion innovation, connect water professionals, and leverage knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide. For more information, visit www.wef.org.

About VOW
The Value of Water Coalition is an unprecedented collaboration of U.S. water companies and associations that have come together to create a stronger, more unified voice across the sector and to improve public awareness about the value of water. VOW coalition partners include: the American Society of Civil Engineers, Building America’s Future, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, National Urban League, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Value of Water Coalition (American Water, American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, CH2M HILL, MWH Global, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, United Water, Veolia, Water Environment Federation, Xylem Inc., and U.S. Water Alliance. For more information, visit www.thevalueofwater.org.