On Accountability In The Water Industry

I stood there, watching as water cascaded down the interior wall of a building that had been constructed long before I was born. My job was to locate an isolation valve to halt the flow. To do so, I had to wade through ankle-deep water because the sump pumps in this aging structure had long ceased to function, and no one had taken the initiative to replace them. After some determined searching, I managed to locate a valve and successfully cut off the flow. It felt like a stroke of luck that I found a functioning valve at all.

This scene was not unique; in fact, it's a distressingly common occurrence. All across the United States, our infrastructure is deteriorating, and underfunded communities often turn to contract operations as a solution. While it may yield some success on occasion, I would argue that, more often than not, it falls short. Contract operation companies tend to operate with minimal staff, lacking the long-term institutional knowledge of the plant or the community. Moreover, they often sell or lose the contract within a few years, perpetuating a cycle of neglect until the wastewater plant and its associated infrastructure fall into complete disrepair.

However, it's not solely the fault of contract operation companies. They offer a service that is in demand, and the real issue lies with the individuals making decisions within these communities, especially in smaller ones. Many decision-makers lack a fundamental understanding of what it takes to run a wastewater plant and, in many cases, are indifferent to the intricacies of the process. They may have never even set foot in the wastewater plant and only desire that it functions well enough to prevent backups or odor complaints. I once extended an invitation to council members for a plant tour, but no one took us up on the offer. We repeated the invitation, but still, no one showed any interest.

I don't possess all the solutions, but I firmly believe that change will remain elusive until elected officials, city managers, and residents of these communities take the time to learn more about the underground infrastructure and what is required to process their waste. Similarly, contract operation companies need to be more transparent about their staffing needs and the actual requirements for operating these plants. Real change will only occur when all parties involved commit to understanding and addressing these issues.

I am hopeful that a shift is beginning to occur. More people are showing up for plant tours, and an increasing number of wastewater treatment facilities are hosting open houses and tours. With the growing influence of social media, we have the potential to create real and meaningful change for our society as a whole. Water quality is a concern that impacts every individual on this planet, and it's one of the reasons why this newsletter exists.

NOTE: And in case people think I’m making this story up or that I’m exaggerating, here’s a video. It’s from years ago so forgive the quality.