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| From Our President |
Have you read the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force Report: Creating a Sustainable Solution for Pennsylvania ? I've just read it and I'm impressed with its depth on all matters related to water infrastructure. The issues presented range from the estimated costs for upgrading our water infrastructure (which are mind-boggling) to planning for capacity and managing water and waste water systems sustainably, to public education on water.
Perhaps most striking to me is the fact that all three components of water infrastructure in Pennsylvania are discussed in a single document. Finally, we have begun to look at water infrastructure in a more comprehensive manner, linking the management of drinking water, waste water and storm water together. ...More | |
Water Leaders Plan for a Sustainable Future
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 By now, we have all heard of the urgent need for investment in water infrastructure in Pennsylvania. Leaders from around the state came together in the past year to develop recommendations to ensure that our children are not faced with the same water infrastructure challenges we face today. Their ideas are outlined in a new report, Creating a Sustainable Solution for Pennsylvania: Governor's Sustainable Infrastructure Task Force Report. In addition to funding options, such as full-cost pricing, the report covers a number of cost-reduction options for water system management. Among the recommended options is regional cooperation. The endorsed strategies go beyond the traditional idea of interconnecting systems, which is not often feasible. The task force advocates for solutions that regionalize management and administration of these complex systems to ensure that the systems efficiently. Two examples of best practice included in the report are the Lehigh County Authority and 3 Rivers Wet Weather, which were featured at the Spring conference organized by 10,000 Friends. The Lehigh County Authority is a textbook case on the benefits of regionalization of water infrastructure, resulting in upgraded services and reduced costs. 3 Rivers Wet Weather is using state-of-the-art technology to facilitate municipal partnerships on the watershed level for cost-effective delivery of water services. In addition to the findings on regionalization, the report also outlines the relationship between water infrastructure, land use and conservation. Findings from the water infrastructure and sewer infrastructure reports published by 10,000 Friends were cited in support of the recommendations, which included integrating water, wastewater and stormwater facilities planning with municipal comprehensive plans. Visit the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force website for more information and to access the full report. |
Regional Collaboration in the Southwest
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 The rugged terrain, outdated sewer systems, and expanded land development in southwestern Pennsylvania pose serious challenges to the municipal leaders in the region. Recognizing this, area leaders have come together to form the Regional Water Management Task Force, an 11-county effort to improve water management and water quality in Southwestern Pennsylvania. This group works toward effective solutions to water infrastructure issues through collaboration across municipal lines. To date, they have made great strides through a comprehensive approach to clarify the issues and engage the public in the process.
For more information, please visit the Regional Water Management Task Force website. |
Good Reading
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As we debate how to raise the
estimated $36.5 billion that will be needed to repair and upgrade
Pennsylvania's crumbling water and sewer systems, we also need to get
smarter about how those investments are being made. Ongoing research
here at 10,000 Friends has been dedicated to demonstrating how that can
be achieved. Ed Wilson, Vice President for Policy and Research,
authored an article summarizing our work that appeared in the October
2008 issue of Pennsylvania Muncipal Authorities Association's magazine, The Authority. Click here to read "Getting Smarter About Water Infrastructure."
If
you were one of the 4,579,426 who weighed in on Pennsylvania's sole
ballot question on November 4, then you are probably already aware that
Pennsylvania citizens approved a $400 million bond issue for water and
sewer projects. While this funding will help to address Pennsylvania's
infrastructure issues, it is merely a start. The editors of
Harrisburg's Patriot-News have done a great job of analyzing the issue in relation to the Sustainable Infrastructure Task Force report. Be sure to read the editorial for more information.
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| Stay Connected |
We update our site regularly with articles, opportunities and links, so please bookmark the home page of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania and stop by often.
To find your legislator and get copies of introduced legislation, visit the State General Assembly website. As always, thank you for staying connected to 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. Please contact us if you have questions or would like more information.
Our e-newsletters are designed to keep you in the loop on all of our activities. Click Join Our Mailing List! in the top left column to choose the e-newsletters you'd like to receive. |
| 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania |
 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania works as an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to promoting land use policies and actions that will enable Pennsylvania to strengthen its diverse urban, suburban and rural communities. Through a diverse coalition focused on a positive agenda, we seek proactive solutions and options for local, regional and state leaders. Visit our website. | |
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