US water utility sector supports $524bn and 289,000 jobs for economy says report

Water, wastewater and storm water utilities will contribute approximately $524bn to the US economy over the next decade, reveals an executive report by the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) and the Water Research Foundation (WRF).

The report, ‘National Economic and Labor Impacts of the Water Utility Sector’ (WRF research project #4566), found that the investment on water utilities generates similar jobs to investment in clean energy, transportation and healthcare.

The study was based on planned operating and capital investments of 30 public water utilities and revealed that the sector will create 289,000 permanent jobs over the next ten years.

WRF executive director Rob Renner said: "Our utility subscribers play a significant role in their respective local communities’ economies and the national economy as a whole.

"This study underscores the valuable economic and labour benefits of investments in water infrastructure."

The 30 utilities that participated in the survey would invest to replace aging infrastructure, improve local water quality and expand services to accommodate increased demand.

The investment would support more than 131,000 jobs over the decade.

According to the study, the jobs created in the water utility sector will overtake the workforce of many major cities, including New Orleans, Miami and Pittsburgh.

Economic contribution of the water utilities will be more than the GDP of metropolitan areas Chattanooga and Santa Barbara, the report added.

WERF interim executive director Larry Jaworski said: "Investments made by our utility partners generate valuable, stable careers in communities across the nation.

"Over the next decade, our sector will continue to make significant contributions to local economies and the nation’s economy as a whole."

The study also highlighted major hiring needs in the US water utility sector, since nearly one-third of the existing workforce are eligible for retirement.