The Value of Water Coalition (VoW) initiated its 2016 campaign with the February release of results of a national poll on public attitudes and concerns about water. The telephone poll of 1,000 Americans found that, in light of the Flint, Michigan, water crisis, respondents are deeply concerned with the state of water infrastructure. Some 95 percent said it was important or very important for public officials to invest in water systems so other communities will not face what happened in Flint.
Respondents were evenly split (47/47 percent) initially in their willingness to personally spend more on their water bills for increased investment in water systems. Once poll respondents received additional information about water issues, 60 percent said they were in favor of paying more to invest in water infrastructure—an increase of 13 percent.
The Coalition will also play a prominent role in 2016 Infrastructure Week, May 16-23. This will be “a full week of events, education, advocacy and media to elevate infrastructure as a critical challenge – and enormous opportunity – facing all states, cities, and communities.” The Coalition serves on the Infrastructure Week steering committee and will promote highly visible events hosted by VoW members across the country.
Additional information about the VoW water infrastructure opinion poll and Infrastructure Week plans is online at www.thevalueofwater.org.