NEWS RELEASE: New Report Exposes Alarming Economic Impacts on DC Region if Faced with Water Supply Disruption
On Tuesday, ICPRB held a press conference to unveil a new report highlighting the significant and dire financial consequences facing the Washington, D.C., region in the event of a disruption to the area’s water supply.
ICPRB’s Executive Director Michael Nardolilli opened the press conference with a quote from Ben Franklin, “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.”
In just one month, a significant disruption from threats like infrastructure failures or natural disasters in D.C.’s water supply could result in a loss of $15 billion in gross regional product and hundreds of millions in tax losses, according to the report, “The Economic and Fiscal Costs of Water Supply Disruption to the National Capital Region.”
During the press conference, ICPRB, along with officials from the Greater Washington Board of Trade, DC Water, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and the American Business Water Coalition, called for Congressional action to fund crucial infrastructure projects to ensure greater resiliency in the D.C. region’s water supply and safeguard the health and safety of both the public and the economy.
“The Potomac River is the single source of drinking water for D.C. and provides water for roughly five million people in the region,” said ICPRB Executive Director Michael Nardolilli. “It is integral to the functioning of the nation’s capital. This report clearly shows that any disruption to the water supply would have catastrophic economic consequences for the region, especially for the most vulnerable residents of our nation’s capital. Securing the resilience of our water infrastructure is not just a priority, it’s a necessity.”
Learn more and read the entire report >>>
River Report – ICPRB Discontinues Daily Drought Monitoring
ICPRB ceased daily Drought Monitoring last Saturday due to increased river flows and rain in the forecast.
Today’s U.S. Drought Monitor map sees a slight increase in Extreme Drought over last week but drought conditions improved in the southern part of the watershed.
NOAA’s National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center (MARFC) is predicting the remnants of Hurricane Helene will drop some rain across the western part of the basin which will increase river flows and bring some badly-needed moisture to the area.
When it rains, it pours. MARFC is calling for coastal flooding in the District and neighboring communities. Stay safe and avoid driving through floodwaters. Turn around, don’t drown.
Our thoughts are with those in the path of Hurricane Helene.