Illinois American Water president says new national report underscores need to act now to update and maintain water systems

Lincoln District water main project announced

[March 23, 2013]  ^"The grades are in, and the nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure is still in a poor state," said Karla Olson Teasley, president of Illinois American Water, referring to the American Society of Civil Engineers' latest Report Card for America's Infrastructure, released this week. "If it was a student, such ongoing marginal performance would be unacceptable."

The report, issued every four years since 2001, gave the nation's water systems a D grade, up slightly from the D-minus conferred in the last two reports, but, according to Teasley, this year's outcome is not a cause for celebration. She sees the findings as further confirmation of the need to update and maintain water infrastructure to ensure resiliency for health, safety and robust local economies.

A breakdown of water systems can result in water disruptions, impediments to emergency response and damage to other types of infrastructure, as well as unsanitary conditions, increasing the likelihood of public health issues.

"Simply put, allowing water infrastructure to lapse puts our communities at risk," Teasley said.

The price tag for the critical upkeep and replacement of the nation's outdated water systems is at least $1 trillion over the next 25 years, according to estimates by the American Water Works Association. While this financial challenge is significant, there are solutions. Illinois American Water has proactively invested about $330 million in needed water and wastewater system improvements across the state from 2009 to 2013.

In 2013, Illinois American Water is investing approximately $63,000 in its Lincoln District to install about 120 feet of 8-inch water main. The project is being completed in conjunction with the construction of the high-speed rail project.

"Such investments prove their value every day," Teasley said. "From projects to replace water mains, pipelines and hydrants to enhanced treatment capabilities improving efficiency and reliability, the investments we've made into the system ensure that we are well-positioned to continue to meet customer needs in the communities that rely on us."

What's more, investing in water and wastewater infrastructure development creates good-paying jobs and boosts local economic growth.

"With unemployment continuing throughout Illinois, there is no better time to reinvest in our essential infrastructure," said Teasley.

According to Teasley, the value of the ASCE Report Card is in raising customer awareness of the critical nature of these issues and showing customers that they already play an important role in system renewal and future reliability by simply paying their water bills.

"By supporting needed improvements, customers and Illinois American Water are working together to keep the water flowing now and well into the future," Teasley said. "While much work needs to be done to raise the grade of the nation's deteriorating water infrastructure, recognizing that a healthy water system truly promotes economic vitality, provides public health and protects our environment can only improve future scores, in our state and across the country."

___

Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing water or wastewater services to more than 1.2 million people.

[Text from file received from Illinois American Water]