Item 8DAGENDA ITEM # 8D
OCTOBER 13, 2008
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure
SUBMITTED BY: Donna Kaluzniak, Utility Directo~~/~,
DATE: October 1, 2008
BACKGROUND: The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the National Association of
Clean Water Agencies initiated a new public education program called Water Is Life, and
Infrastructure Makes It HappenTM.
As part of this program, public television stations across the nation, including our own WJCT, will be
airing the important and fascinating documentary, Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water
Infrastructure.
Much of our nation's water and wastewater infrastructure -the systems that treat, distribute, collect,
and clean water -was built nearly a century ago for a much smaller population. Today, utilities must
service expanding communities and meet new regulatory requirements with aging, overburdened
systems and shrinking budgets.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that over 20 percent of drinking water is lost and
1.2 trillion gallons of storm water and wastewater overflows every year due to leaks and breaks in
800,000 miles of water pipe and 600,000 miles of sewer line across the country. Projected costs range
from $485 billion to $1.2 trillion for needed improvements over the next twenty years.
Liquid Assets tells the story of our "hidden" drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems
from communities across the country and the approaches they're taking to solve problems.
Liquid Assets will air on WJCT on November 7, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. on DT 7.4 and Comcast 212.
In addition, the City has received a copy of the 90-minute documentary if a showing at the
Commission Chambers is desired.
BUDGET: No budget impact.
RECOMMENDATION: No recommendation. Provided for Commission information only.
ATTACHMENTS:
REVIEWED BY CITY