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In the past few months, I’ve been invited to speak at various webinars and conferences about RCAP’s work and the importance of sustainable water utilities in rural areas.

One of these occasions was USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum, where the panel I was on, moderated by John Padalino, Rural Development Chief of Staff, addressed the subject “Why Every American Should Care about the Future of Rural Water.” Dr. James Richardson from Texas A&M University spoke of the water requirements in producing various biofuels, while Charles Hinton, a utility manager from South Carolina, recounted his efforts to supply water for a changing manufacturing base in his rural community.

All of the panelists emphasized the importance of rural water resources and rural water utilities in every facet of life in America. Rural water resources and utilities are used for virtually every agricultural activity, including biofuel production, as well as for oil and gas production, mineral extraction, recreation, to support households and commerce in thousands of small communities, and to provide water for urban areas.

Over the years there have been countless studies that quantify water use in these and other economic pursuits. What we have not determined is how we can prioritize use of a diminishing resource among a variety of domestic, commercial, industrial, environmental, and agricultural and energy-related (oil/gas/coal/nuclear/hydro) activities. Population growth and the increasing prevalence of droughts have placed additional pressures on water resources. In the meantime, investment in water infrastructure and in measures to ensure the protection of vital watersheds has been minimal in relation to the documented needs. When (and how) will our nation come to terms with the competing demands for water resources?

Brendan McGinnis, Water Division Director of The Horinko Group (www.thehorinkogroup.org), hosted a webinar titled “Family Farms, Rural Landscapes and the Farm Bill.” In this discussion moderated by Dr. Richard Warner of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, I spoke of the need for investment in rural water infrastructure to support these vital economic activities and rural communities located in every state. These investments pay dividends in the form of increased employment, a heightened economic-development climate, greater private-sector investment opportunities, higher property values, and improved public health, to name just a few.

However, while the need for investment is almost universally recognized, funding that will support these foundations of our current and future economy is not forthcoming. Many believed the Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 provided for these investments. However, of the nearly $800 billion expended, more than two-thirds was dedicated to tax benefits and entitlement programs. Less than $60 billion was provided to infrastructure investment of all types, and only about 10 percent of that amount was dedicated to water and wastewater infrastructure.

As I have mentioned here before, documented needs for water and wastewater infrastructure over the next 20 years are approaching $1 trillion. All of this forms a puzzle where competing interests hold a piece to the solution yet, the requisite impetus has not yet appeared to allow for a comprehensive solution to be enacted. Do we need to wait for another crisis to occur (remember Milwaukee and Alamosa)? Obviously much of this is about money; who will pay and who will benefit. One notion I always return to is that everyone must contribute so that everyone may reap the benefits.

While solutions to these problems are not so simply reached, unless we continue to discuss these issues and honestly work toward solutions in the near term, the future of our economy and our way of life is jeopardized. There are solutions. There are resources. There is the expertise. And within the water community, there is a sense of urgency that we must take measures to address these water uses, water allocation and water-infrastructure needs now and not leave this for future generations to solve.

Other articles in this issue:

• Rural Developments (news briefs)
• USDA and EPA encourage partnerships among water systems
• Five things you can do to save on energy in your utility
• Legislative Matters
• RCAP produces new publications and other resources for small communities