National Safe Digging Month is here and there is still time to maximize exposure and generate awareness of the 811 message. With spring projects underway, it’s more important than ever to get the safe digging message out!

In a move that stands to create and sustain thousands of jobs while improving aging water infrastructure, protecting the environment and promoting public health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the first round of its $6 billion in Stimulus funds for water infrastructure which were included in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009.

 AGC of America has expressed substantial concerns with EPA about the impact of the Recovery Act's Buy American requirements on “shovel ready” water infrastructure projects eligible for EPA funding through the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF programs.  After numerous discussions with AGC the EPA has announced that it will grant a waiver from the “Buy American” provision attached to economic stimulus funds to avoid blocking another part of the stimulus legislation that provides for refinancing of debt for water projects.

Contractors Association of West Virginia Hosts Governor"We've got a lot of work to do and we're getting ready to do it," Governor Joe Manchin told CAWV members and legislators.  The governor was the keynote speaker at a March 12 legislative reception sponsored by the Contractors Association of West Virginia and WV American Water Company.  Nearly 100 legislators, government officials and CAWV members attended the function, which was covered by the local media.Following the Governor's remarks, attendees viewed an overview of the 90-minute documentary, Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure, and joined local water officials for a lively discussion. Panelists explored the value and cost of water and wastewater services, the unique requirements presented by West Virginia's terrain and the amount of unserved state residents.For more information on how your company or AGC Chapter can use Liquid Assets to raise awareness about water infrastructure, visit www.agc.org/liquidassets or contact Perry Fowler at (703) 837-1983 or fowlerp@agc.org.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publicly released its fourth Drinking Water needs assessment on March 26.The survey identified $334.8 billion in needs for the 20-year period from January 2007 through December 2026.  With $200.8 billion in need over the next 20 years, transmission and distribution projects represent the largest category of need. The other categories, in descending order of need are: treatment, storage, source and "other." To obtain a full copy of the report please visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/needssurvey/index.htmlFor more information, contact Perry Fowler at (703)837-5321 or fowlerp@agc.org.

Many American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded construction projects including water treatment facilities, paving , water main and valve replacement are already being advertised on FedBizOpps.Gov the federal government's portal for contracting business opportunities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publicly released its fourth Drinking Water needs assessment today. The purpose of the Assessment is to document the 20-year capital investment needs of public water systems that are eligible to receive Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) funding.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs recently issued a report entitled Liquid Assets: The State of Texas' Water Resources. This comprehensive report evaluates the progress Texas is making in securing water resources for the future and information on the current status of water management strategies. According to the Texas Water Development Board demand for water will increase 27 percent by 2060 and if demand is not met it could cost businesses and workers in the state approximately $9.1 billion per year by 2010 and $98.4 billion per year by 2060.To view a copy of the report visit http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/water

“We’ve got a lot of work to do and we’re getting ready to do it,” Governor Joe Manchin told CAWV members and legislators Thursday.  The governor was the keynote speaker at a March 12 legislative reception sponsored by the Contractors Association of West Virginia and WV American Water Company.  Nearly 100 legislators, governmental officials and CAWV members attended the function held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Charleston.“We’ve got almost $300 million in water and sewer projects that are backlogged,” the governor stated.  “If these jobs are ready, we will put them out to bid.  I want your contractors to go to work building these projects, which are vital to West Virginia’s quality of life and future economic development.”   The governor said the stimulus funds will give West Virginia the chance to better transition the state for future economic development.  He said that West Virginia is beginning to feel the impact of the national recession, but investing in infrastructure will help the state rebound more quickly. Governor Manchin outlined the federal stimulus dollars that will be available for water and sewer construction.  “We have established a link on my homepage at www.wvgov.org.  All the Recovery Act funding will be on the website for everyone to see.  The site will show what money is available for programs and how the money is being spent.”  The governor noted that the website will provide complete transparency in the spending of the Recovery Act funds. Attendees also viewed an overview of the 90-minute documentary Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure, and joined WV Water Development Authority Executive Director Chris Jarrett, WVDEP Water and Waste Management Division Director Mike Johnson, Steptoe & Johnson Attorney John Stump and WV American Water Executive Director Wayne Morgan for a lively discussion. Panelists explored the value and cost of water and wastewater services, the unique requirements presented by West Virginia’s terrain, and the amount of unserved state residents. “Water and sewer systems cost a lot of money to operate – especially considering the costs of everything else are going up, such as the electricity that is used to treat the water and the fuel costs associated with hauling materials – yet treated water only costs about a penny per gallon,” Morgan explained. “Nationwide, only about one to two percent of household income is spent on tap water, making it one of our lower utility bills.”  Jarrett and Johnson discussed the funding mechanisms in place for water infrastructure and told attendees about the vast the gap that exists between what is needed and the amount of money available.  Panelists also discussed the needs in our state for adequate water and sewer services and the cost to provide them to everyone. They then explored the impact the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will have on utility construction in the state. For more information on how your company or AGC Chapter can use Liquid Assets to raise awareness about water infrastructure visit www.agc.org/liquidassets.

Carolina's AGC and UNC TV create public awareness about North Carolinas water infrastructure with new documentary with the help AGC members and a grant from Penn State Public Broadcasting.Liquid Assets in North Carolina explores the many issues surrounding the maintainence of these water management systems. Alongside a panel of experts in rural development, public policy, construction, and public utilities administration, UNC-TV's senior producer of public affairs Eszter Vajda moderates this in-depth discussion of the many types of water infrastructure in place to manage North Carolina's storm, drinking, and waste water, the condition of those systems, and what concerned individuals and organizations are doing to ensure the maintenance and improvement of that infrastructure. This expert panel also examines economic and public health implications surrounding water conservation and funding.Click here for more information and view the documentary online