DENVER — The water industry is calling on President-elect Barack Obama to make drinking water issues, such as safe drinking water standards, source water protection and infrastructure investment, a priority in his administration, according to “A National Agenda for Drinking Water.”

The national agenda is the result of collaboration among water organizations representing a spectrum of drinking water providers, namely the American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, and National Rural Water Association. According to the document, which was prepared for Obama, the water organizations analyzed a number of significant drinking water issues likely to arise during Obama’s presidency.

“Our collaborative effort has identified certain key issues: safe drinking water standards; source water protection; climate change research and adaptation; infrastructure investment; economic stimulus; and water system security,” the document’s authors wrote to Obama in the introduction. “We know from the campaign that you are already in favor of many of our recommendations on these issues; we urge you to make them a priority in your administration.”

Regarding infrastructure issues, the water organizations called on Obama to support both an economic stimulus package for drinking water projects and long-term water infrastructure investment.

Regarding an economic stimulus through water infrastructure investment, the organizations wrote that such projects would not only create more jobs but ensure public health. According to the document, “These funds should be dispersed in such a way as to be quickly accessed by utility managers, with a minimum of delay and ‘red tape.’”

Noting that all of the recommendations should be viewed as an investment in America’s future, the water organizations stated in the document that some of the recommendations require legislation; others require new federal appropriations — “though none will require large sums” — or policy and direction from the president.

To full report is accessible through the AWWA Web site, or by clicking here.

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