Substantial Shortfall in Funds for Indiana’s Clean Water and Sewer Infrastructure Raises Concerns
August 8, 2008, Indianapolis, Indiana – The Indiana Chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCAI) hosted an event yesterday to raise industry awareness of the need to fund the rebuilding and restoration of Indiana’s water and sewer infrastructure. The outlook presented was bleak with current needs estimated to cost over $20 billion and only $200 million available in state coffers.
The event attracted over 90 people including engineers, municipal owners, private owners, city officials, organization leaders, utility contractors, and subcontractors.
Indiana Senator Beverly Gard (R-District 28), who chairs the Senate’s Committee on Energy and Environmental Affairs, said that studies indicate Indiana’s water infrastructure needs over $20 billion. The primary source for such projects is the federally-funded State Revolving Loan Fund, which provides communities an opportunity for low-cost loans for this purpose.
Communities have pending applications for such loans totaling over $1billion and the fund currently has $200 million according to Gard.
Terry Dillon, President of NUCA on a national level and co-owner of Atlas Excavating based in Lafayette, Indiana, said that non-partisan organizations are being organized in many other states facing the same shortfall and lack of public knowledge about the issue. About 50 people volunteered after the meeting to begin forming one in Indiana, which event organizers thought indicated a strong interest in helping to resolve the funding problems.
Cyndi Wagner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) reviewed funding for projects that are intended to meet a federal mandate to separate combined sewer overflows, systems common in states east of the Mississippi which result in raw sewage being piped to rivers and streams, without first being treated, especially during and after heavy rains.
Scott Grimes, Executive Director of NUCAI, remarked, “her presentation showed that the state is working hard to properly monitor and staff these important projects in Indiana; however, the funding shortfall is going to make it more and more difficult for the state to continue to keep up with its goals and also fulfill other infrastructure obligations.”
For more information and to learn more about the developing organization contact Tina Dillon, President at tinad@atlasexcavating.com.
View Senator Gard's Presentation
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