President-elect Obama announced last week that part of his economic stimulus plan will hinge on a massive infrastructure building program. It would reportedly be the largest public works program since President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the federal interstate system in the 1950s. Specifically the proposed Obama government spending program will include a renewed effort to make public buildings energy-efficient, rebuild the nation’s highways, renovate aging schools and install computers in classrooms, extend high-speed Internet to underserved areas and modernize hospitals by giving them access to electronic medical records.

With the reports in recent years of aging water and wastewater infrastruture that has reached the end of its useful life, it seems an infusion of federal dollars toward making those repairs and replacements could directly benefit public health in local communities, and in some cases even save lives. While there are many needs and limited funds, consideration of the water and wastewater industry may have merit. What do you think? Should water professionals raise their hands and call attention to the breadth of water and wastewater infrastructure needs prevalent across the country?