(Kansas City, Mo.) – This week, September 14th – 21st, is the national United for Infrastructure Week: A Week to Champion America’s Infrastructure. Infrastructure is critical for a prosperous society and water infrastructure leads the way.
“When water infrastructure is ignored, there is a risk to public health, the environment and to life itself. These trying months have truly emphasized the need for reliable water infrastructure. People need safe water to stay healthy. At KC Water, we work hard to provide quality water, stormwater, and wastewater services,” said Terry Leeds, Director of KC Water.
Water lines are aging across the country resulting in main breaks and service disruptions. According to the Value of Water Campaign’s economic benefits report, service disruptions will cost water-reliant businesses $250 billion by 2039.
KC Water continues to rebuild our water infrastructure. In July, we celebrated the 200th mile of our Water Main Replacement Program. We have over 2,800 miles of mains and our goal is to replace at least 1 % every year. Since the Program began, water main breaks have decreased from 1,846 water main breaks in FY 2013 to 729 in FY 2020.
“If we make water infrastructure a priority, we can help stop deterioration and protect our most valuable resource,” said Leeds.
To view our water infrastructure projects, visit www.kcwater.us under projects.
For more information contact Heather Frierson, KC Water Media Relations Coordinator, at heather.frierson@kcmo.org 816-513-0280, cell 816-674-0211.
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KC Water maintains and operates water treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems for residential and business customers in Kansas City and for wholesale customers in the Kansas City area. KC Water is primarily funded by fees charged to customers based on their use or impacts on the three utility systems.
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