survey says? bipartisan majorities support water infrastructure investments

By: dan kennedy, senior director

In 2022 we reported to you progress on specific action items contained in UTCA’s Water Infrastructure Investment Strategy. UTCA has been relentless on water infrastructure. Our policy focus is necessarily concentrated on the funding but also goes past that basic component of our advocacy. UTCA has embraced supporting corresponding actions related to investment for all water systems in the State of NJ including filling the existing funding gaps with more funding at every level, complemented by capital planning; capacity building in water systems; reduction in project review times; and critical project prioritization.

In summary, while we are nowhere near “mission accomplished” we are making measurable progress not just for contractors but for the State of New Jersey. On behalf of our member firms, UTCA strives to create a positive impact on New Jersey citizens, the health of the environment and our shared economic prosperity by leveraging its respected expertise and relationships to promote a sustainable infrastructure sector. These investments in water infrastructure are not just good for contractors. They are indisputably positive for residents and businesses and are widely supported by voters.

But I am paid to say that, aren’t I? As an employee of a trade association with a clear mission to promote construction opportunities, readers could rightly see this as just an optimistic narrative from a trade association staffer. So let me back this up with something more tangible.

2023 Value of Water Index- National Survey Results

Our partners at the US Water Alliance recently conducted their annual survey to see where national opinions are towards infrastructure after Year 1 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding increases. The bipartisan polling team of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (D) and New Bridge Strategy (R) recently completed a national voter survey to assess views of key water quality and water supply issues and their support for significant investments in water infrastructure. The data show that voters continue to prioritize having a safe, reliable supply of clean water and strongly support major investments in water infrastructure improvements. Key specific findings of the survey include:

• Ensuring a reliable supply of water ranks among voters' top federal priorities. Eighty-five percent said that "ensuring a reliable supply of water" is an “extremely” or “very important” pri- ority, on par with strengthening the economy (85%) and reducing inflation (84%). Addressing drinking water contamination (82%) and reducing pollution in rivers, lakes, and oceans (73%) also rank among the top priorities.

• Voters are divided about the condition of national water infrastructure but continue to offer positive evaluations of local water infrastructure. Voter ratings of the condition of water infrastructure have remained consistent in recent years. Two in four (40%) rate the nation’s water infrastructure as being in “excellent” or “good” condition, while 71% offer the same rating of their local water infrastructure.

• More than two-thirds (68%) say they would view an elected official who supported new investments in water infrastructure more favorably. One-third indicated that they would view an elected official who supported these types of investments much more favorably and 35% said they would view them somewhat more favorably. This perception cuts across partisan lines, with most Democrats, Independents, and Republicans all indicating that they would take a more favorable view of an elected official who backed investment in water infrastructure.

• Majorities are willing to pay more on their water bills to reduce pollution, increase safety, and prevent shutoffs for non-payment. As shown in the figure below, majorities of American voters are willing to pay increased rates for a variety of water infrastructure needs.

The following is an infographic that summarizes some additional interesting voter sentiment:

Taken together, the results show that voters nationally continue to strongly value and support investments in water infrastructure. They rank water issues among their top priorities for the federal government, and although many are unfamiliar with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, they offer broad and strong approval for it when provided with a description.

Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs Campaign Survey Results

Using similar polling techniques, NJ-based polling was conducted by Publitics / InfluenceIQ in March 2023 to assess opinions on water infrastructure funding and awareness of water issues in the Garden State. New Jersey voters recognize that access to clean water is essential.

Key findings were focused on Governor Murphy’s announcement that he would support investing more federal dollars from New Jersey’s remaining share of American Rescue Plan funding in upgrading water infrastructure. This has been a key focus of UTCA’s advocacy over the past year. The Survey showed that 86% of New Jersey voters approve of the Governor’s budget announcement that he plans to work with the Legislature through the FY ’24 budget process to invest more in water infrastructure. The Governor’s action draws support from a majority of Democrats (95%), Republicans (78%) and unaffiliated voters (82%). As a funding priority, few issues garner as much support across party lines as water and we are using this information accordingly.

Moving Forward

UTCA will continue to work closely with partners (some new / some old) to increase the awareness of residents and businesses that rely heavily on water infrastructure every day. We remain of the belief that investment in water infrastructure at the local, state, and federal level will foster healthier communities and a stronger economy, ensure new job growth and increase our economic competitiveness as a state.

UTCA has done its part to drive the conversation past the point of talking about the problem. We now must accelerate the construction work with available funding and focus. If we don’t, the momentum will be lost because voters now expect real progress and that is exactly what construction projects offer.