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Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure to Air in Texas

Release Date: 10/24/2008
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

Documentary explores our nation’s aging water systems

(Dallas, Texas – October 24, 2008) The Environmental Protection Agency encourages the public to learn why America’s aging water system is in dire need of an overhaul, and why raising public awareness of this essential commodity, often buried out of sight, has been a challenge until now.

“Liquid Assets” examines the state of our nation’s essential infrastructure systems: drinking water, wastewater and storm water. These complex and aging systems, some in the ground for more than 100 years, are critical for basic sanitation, public safety, economic development, and a host of other necessities of life. The documentary highlights communities from across the United States, providing an understanding of hidden water infrastructure assets, demonstrating watershed protection approaches, and illustrating twenty-first century solutions.

"Many water and sewage lines throughout the nation were installed decades ago and are in need of repair,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “This documentary walks us through the troubling issues associated with our water infrastructure. It encourages cities and municipalities to reinvest in their water infrastructure to sustain our quality of life for generations to come".

Produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting, the documentary will air around the country starting in October. In Dallas KERA will air it on Sunday, October 26 and in Corpus Christi KEDT will run it on Tuesday, November 11 and on Sunday, November 23. A four-minute trailer is available for viewing at http://liquidassets.psu.edu. As part of EPA’s Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative, EPA’s water experts encourage the public to view this documentary to gain an understanding and an appreciation for our nation’s water systems.

EPA’s Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative guides the Agency’s efforts in changing how the nation views, values, manages, and invests in its water infrastructure. EPA is working with the water industry to identify best practices that have helped many of the nation’s utilities address a variety of management challenges and extend the use of these practices to a greater number of utilities. EPA, in collaboration with a coalition of state and local leaders, is helping to build a roadmap for a sustainable water infrastructure.

Additional information on water infrastructure is available at https://www.epa.gov/waterinfrastructure.

To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit http://www.epa.gov.region6.