Addressing NJ’s aging and decaying water infrastructure

Top experts descended on Washington, D.C. this week to ask federal lawmakers to invest in the nation's aging and decaying water infrastructure. This is an issue in New Jersey as well, and addressing it won't come on the cheap, according to Robert Iacullo, executive vice president with United Water New Jersey.

"The water and wastewater infrastructures in many parts of the state, particularly the Northern part of the state, are in fact reaching the end of their useful service life," Iacullo said. "The need over the next 20 years in New Jersey is probably close to $40 billion."

Water and wastewater utilities planned to invest more than $230 billion over the next 10 years which could create tens of thousands of jobs.But help from the federal government is also needed, especially since 60 percent of water infrastructure in New Jersey is controlled by local municipalities.

Last year the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the nation's water and wastewater infrastructures a grade of "D" in a report on the nation's infrastructure. The Garden State fared a little better, but not much.

"It's big issue. The American Society of Civil Engineers had given the water infrastructure in New Jersey a grade of 'C' and wastewater a 'D,'" Iacullo explained.

Time is running out to address the issue.

"Our water and wastewater infrastructure is aging and it's nearing the end of its useful life - particularly the underground infrastructure, our mains, our pipes - which unfortunately is typically out of sight and therefore doesn't necessarily get all of the attention that maybe it should as compared to roads and bridges," Iacullo said.

Nationally, it is estimated that repairing and replacing infrastructures will cost $4.8 trillion over the next two decades.

"Water courses through everything from a cup of coffee to a gigawatt of power - and we need to invest now to make sure America's taps are open for business, every day, to keep our economy flowing," Iacullo said in an emailed press release.

Iacullo was one of the water executives who attended a hearing on Capital Hill Wednesday