Core Strategies for Local Governments to Secure Clean Water Supply – The Municipal Mandate
Clean water is the bedrock of public health, environmental stability, and economic growth; it is far more than a simple utility service. Yet, local governments and the utilities they oversee face a severe triple threat: decades-old infrastructure approaching failure, the challenge of filtering emerging contaminants (such as PFAS), and the profound uncertainties posed by increased climate variability, manifesting as alternating periods of drought and flood. Securing a resilient, clean water future requires local governments to deploy a sophisticated, multi-faceted governance strategy encompassing capital investment, sustainable finance, source water protection, and innovative technology. Strategy 1: Infrastructure Modernization and Asset Management The vast network of pipes, pumps, and treatment facilities requires an urgent strategic overhaul. Local governments must shift their focus from reactive maintenance (fixing leaks only when they burst) to proactive asset management. This involves implementing rigorous Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) that prioritize the replacement of critical aging components, …
