SWIC MEMBER SPOLIGHT: McWane, Inc.
McWane, Inc. is a former chair of SWIC and is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of iron water works and plumbing products. The company manufactures products including ductile iron pipe and fittings, fire hydrants, cast iron soil pipe and fittings and related products. Based in Birmingham, Ala., McWane is a family-owned company employing nearly 6,000 people in 25 facilities nationwide. In addition to the U.S., the company has operations in Australia, Canada, Chile, China and Norway.
Recently, McWane CEO Ruffner Page addressed a group of world leaders and water experts at the International Water Forum at the United Nations to build consensus and raise global awareness of the impending water crisis. Page told the international audience that the U.S. is not immune to this crisis, stating, ?Aging and crumbling public water and wastewater systems threaten our nation?s environment, economic vitality and public health. At a time when job creation is an urgent priority, investing in our water systems is an effective solution. Studies have shown that $1 billion investment in infrastructure creates or supports 28,500 jobs, and every dollar invested in water and wastewater infrastructure adds $8.97 to the national economy.? For more information, visit www.mcwane.com.
Former U.S. Mayors to Reintroduce Water Infrastructure Bill
Representatives Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) and Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), members of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, are preparing legislation to encourage investment in water and wastewater infrastructure. The infrastructure bill is expected to infuse up to $5 billion in annual investment and create or support 1 million jobs over the next 10 years. For more information, visit:?www.sustainablewaterinfrastructure.org.
Water and Wastewater Education Series on Capitol Hill
SWIC has teamed up with the Chronicles Group and Benjamin Media to host a series of Congressional forums to raise public awareness of critical domestic and international water and wastewater issues. The first event in the series will be held in the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 14, 2013. Members of Congress, SWIC members and other water experts will present, provide panel discussions and respond to questions on water and wastewater issues confronting local communities around the world. Abbreviated versions of films from the documentary series Running Dry, which highlight the domestic and international water crises, will be shown at the beginning of each segment to open the discussion.
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The water and wastewater forum will be conducted in two sessions with keynote addresses from policymakers followed by expert panel discussions. The first session will cover Global Water Issues from 11:30 a.m. ? 1:30 p.m., and thee second session will cover Water Challenges in the United States from 5:30 p.m. ? 8:00 p.m. Dr. Erik Webb, senior manager of Sandia National Laboratories will moderate the sessions and discussion. For more information, visit www.sustainablewaterinfrastructure.org.
Running Dry Series
?Running Dry? is a comprehensive public information and education project created to raise awareness about the domestic and global water crises. At the center of the project are two powerful and enlightening in-depth documentaries: ?Running Dry? and ?Running Dry: The American Southwest.? ?Running Dry,? is a compelling documentary about water quality and quantity around the world, spotlighting the lack of access to clean drinking water and sanitation.? ?Running Dry: The American Southwest? looks at significant U.S. water challenges such as aging water and wastewater infrastructure, drought, agricultural uses and population growth. The overwhelming need to solve these issues through education and planning is crucial.
The Running Dry project?was initially inspired by former U.S. Senator Paul Simon?s book ?Tapped Out,? the coming world crisis in water and what we can do about it. The documentaries were written, produced and directed by award winning filmmaker Jim Thebaut.?Planning is underway for the final film of the documentary series, ?Running Dry ? Beyond the Brink,? which will be released theatrically and on television worldwide. Actress Jane Seymour narrates the documentaries and has joined many policymakers and water experts in the public education effort. Educators are also including the documentaries in academic curricula. For more information, visit www.runningdry.org.
Congressional Forum ? Reserve Your Seat Now!
The water policy forum on Nov. 14 will be open to the public but seating is limited.? SWIC invites everyone to reserve a seat early by sending an email with your name and contact information to rsvp@sustainablewaterinfrastructure.org. Admission is free but reservations are required. The forum will be held in the main auditorium of the Capitol Visitors Center in the U.S. Capitol.
The SWIC newsletter for UIM is co-authored by SWIC co-executive directors Bruce Morgan, Principal of Water Policy Associates, and Eben Wyman, Principal of Wyman & Associates.
