#InvestInWaterMA campaign backs water, sewer work

With Massachusetts leaders now deciding where to invest billions of dollars in federal infrastructure and COVID relief funds, water, sewer, and wastewater infrastructure need to be a top priority.

That’s the key message of a new #InvestInWaterMA campaign launched today by a powerful and growing coalition that includes MassBIO, NAIOP Massachusetts, the Utility Contractors Association of New England (UCANE), American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts, and several water/sewer associations.

Through events, presentations, and social media, #InvestInWaterMA backers are highlighting the critical importance that safe, reliable water and sewer infrastructure play in protecting Massachusetts residents’ public health and the state’s environment and natural resources also promoting jobs and economic development. Supporters can sign up to endorse the campaign and get updates on progress securing water-sewer infrastructure funding by visiting www.ucane.com/investinwaterma

“Roads, bridges, mass transit, and other forms of infrastructure may be more immediately visible to people around Massachusetts, but it’s every bit as important to make sure our water and sewer infrastructure is bringing us clean, safe water supplies, mitigating and preventing flooding, and protecting our environment,’’ said UCANE President Marcella Albanese, CEO of Albanese Brothers Inc., a Dracut general contractor. UCANE is taking the lead role organizing the growing coalition.

Added Tamara Small, CEO of NAIOP Massachusetts, The Commercial Real Estate Development Association: “Reliable, modern water infrastructure is critical to the health and well-being of Massachusetts’ residents and businesses. It is crucial that we make these investments now.”

Jennifer Pederson, executive director of the Massachusetts Water Works Association, another coalition backer, noted that “people are currently paying far more for other services like cable television and cell phones than they are paying for their drinking water, and they don’t think twice about it. Think for a moment about living without water for even a day--it is unimaginable. The time has come to recognize how valuable this essential service is and support needed investment in our drinking water systems.”

“Maintenance saves ratepayers money, and it keeps our water clean,” said Andreae Downs, director of the MWRA Wastewater Advisory Committee and a city councilor in Newton.

UCANE Executive Director Jeff Mahoney said three of the most important messages #InvestInWaterMA wants Massachusetts residents and decision makers to understand are that:

· Massachusetts cities, towns, and regional water utilities face an infrastructure funding crisis, including a funding gap estimated by the Office of the State Auditor in 2017 as $18 billion over 20 years for drinking-water infrastructure alone and billions more for sanitary sewers, stormwater facilities, and remediation of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that still pour millions of gallons of raw sewage into rivers like the Merrimack during storms.

· While this year’s big increase in federal funding is welcomed and needed, it comes against a backdrop of 50 years of declining federal and state aid to cities, towns, and water/sewer districts for infrastructure investment that has forced billions of dollars of backlogs of deferred maintenance and investment.

· Investing in water infrastructure is a proven winner for generating and sustaining economic growth—the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Policy at UMass-Boston, in a study commissioned by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Advisory Board, showed that every $1 million invested in water/wastewater infrastructure generates anywhere from $2 million to $14 million in new taxes plus another $2.6 million to $6.8 million in private-sector economic activity, or a potential $20-for-$1 return, particularly with projects that facilitate development or redevelopment of real estate.

“As our campaign slogan puts it, we want to make sure that we ‘don’t let out of sight mean out of mind’ when it comes to the need to invest billions of dollars in water and sewer infrastructure,’’ Mahoney said.

UCANE is comprised of over 250 major contractors and associated businessmen and women who perform underground utility construction projects (including water, sewer, electrical, gas, and fiber-optic telecommunications) primarily in Massachusetts and throughout New England. Members include both union and non-union companies and range from small, family-owned businesses to large corporations and include many minority- and women-owned businesses and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs).