Wyoming’s water infrastructure rated “mediocre” by engineering group
(UI) — The Wyoming section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released the first Report Card for Wyoming’s Infrastructure on Tuesday, with five categories of infrastructure receiving an overall grade of ‘C’.
Specifically, the state’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure received a grade of “C” and “D+”. According to the report, a C is considered “mediocre” while a D is “poor.”
“The first ever Infrastructure Report Card for Wyoming provides a look at the challenges leaders across the state have maintaining crucial infrastructure services in Wyoming’s unique environment,” said Dustin Woods, P.E., co-chair, 2023 Report Card for Wyoming’s Infrastructure. “Roads, bridges, airports, and water systems help drive Wyoming’s economy. When these systems are in good shape everyone benefits.”
Drinking Water (C) and Wastewater (D+)
Wyoming’s consistent drought conditions pose a significant threat to the state’s 772 public water systems, according to the report. The state currently has enough water to meet current and projected needs but the use of drinking water for agricultural irrigation strains systems during times of high-water use.
Wyoming’s corrosive soil conditions cause metal pipes to degrade faster than expected, leading to unplanned replacement projects. Wyoming water systems also need to change the way customers pay to ensure their survival. Twenty-three percent of water systems in the state say they are unable to sustain themselves on user and service fees.
Wastewater systems received the lowest grade on Wyoming’s report card. Many of the publicly owned wastewater systems have not been upgraded since the 1960s and 1970s and will soon need replacement or rehabilitation. While the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will add almost $10 million in funding for Wyoming’s wastewater needs, it is a small portion of the state’s five-year $450 million spending plan. Local funding for wastewater systems is also limited by low user fees and limitations on how much debt cities can incur to fund wastewater treatment projects.
Solutions
In the report, the engineering group also provided calls for action to raise this grading, which included increasing rates and fees, charge for usage, and monitor equity impacts.
According to the group, Wyoming’s drinking water and wastewater systems currently spend more on essential costs than they collect in revenue from users in all systems. The engineers said that must change to provide safe water infrastructure, adding that increased asset management tracking and capital project planning would highlight even more significant needs.
Furthermore, to ensure consistent service, the engineers concluded that Wyoming needs to increase elected boards’ and councils’ awareness and education of utility management, tying infrastructure projects to board/council training. Wyoming needs to increase water rates, install and charge for usage rates, and proactively support residents or businesses for whom higher rates create unreasonable burdens. In addition, Wyoming systems must address water usage and look to future technology and equipment to reduce energy costs and water usage.
Additionally, the engineering group graded Wyoming’s aviation (B-), bridges (C-), and roads (C). The overall grade means Wyoming’s infrastructure is in mediocre condition. While Wyoming’s infrastructure rates slightly higher than the national grade of ‘C-‘ assigned in the 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, low funding levels and harsh environmental conditions pose a significant threat.
The report card also details how temporary funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), passed in November 2021, benefits Wyoming. However, continued state investment is needed to ensure the long-term success of the critical infrastructure systems people in Wyoming depend on daily. More than $2.3 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been awarded for projects in Wyoming.
The Report Card was created as a public service to citizens and policymakers to inform them of the infrastructure needs in their state. Civil engineers used their expertise and school report card-style letter grades to condense complicated data into an easy-to-understand analysis of Wyoming’s infrastructure network.
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