AWWA ACE70900

This powerpoint presentation begins by providing a brief overview of the Aspen Institute and the Dialogue on Sustainable Water Infrastructure in the U.S. The Aspen Method of a moderated dialogue where participants from various backgrounds and perspectives have an interactive discussion. Participants met four times between May 2008 and March 2009 to: peel back the layers of complexity surrounding the nation's water infrastructure; explore the sometimes competing values that underlie water infrastructure planning, management and financing; and, develop policy recommendations for a sustainable water infrastructure. Events that preceded this dialog are listed, along with perceived problems including: high end estimates from the various gap reports are typically quoted, a near doubling of infrastructure investment is needed; local rate payers are unable to bear this burden, beyond their capacity; the enormous difference between future costs and recent spending, the "funding gap", justifies an increase in federal role and financial support; and, media perpetuation of the crumbling infrastructure image. Conclusions relative to these perceptions are presented, along with trust fund trends identified by the Water Utility Council in 2008, 20 critical elements of the sustainable path, the appropriate federal role, and the strategic use of incentives to encourage sustainability.