Upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure could create nearly 1.9 million American jobs and add $265 billion to the economy, according to Water Works: Rebuilding Infrastructure, Creating Jobs, Greening the Environment, a report from the clean energy group Green For All – released in partnership with American Rivers, the Economic Policy Institute and the Pacific Institute.
Each year, deteriorating infrastructure contributes to discharges of 860 billion gallons of untreated sewage in U.S. waters, creating public health problems, the report says. Green infrastructure, including green roofs, rain gardens and vegetated swales, encourage gradual filtration of stormwater, reducing the chances of flooding and pollution.
Water Works looks at an investment of $188.4 billion in water infrastructure – the amount EPA indicates would be required to manage stormwater and preserve water quality. That investment would inject a quarter of a trillion dollars into the economy, create nearly 1.3 million direct and indirect jobs in related sectors and result in 568,000 additional jobs from increased spending, the report contends.
Water Works is available online.