ARLINGTON, VA - The Clean Water Council announces its economic impact study is now available. In brief, Sudden Impact: Assessment of Short-Term Economic Impacts of Water and Wastewater Projects in the United States supports the contention that investment in water/wastewater infrastructure creates significant economic benefits, not only during and immediately after project construction, but also in the future, decades-long service life of each facility, including additional job creation, enhanced labor productivity and an improved tax base.

Specifically, the report shows that a $1 billion investment in water and wastewater infrastructure results in total national output (i.e., demand for products and services in all industries) of between $2.87 and $3.46 billion, creates up to 26,669 new jobs (with average annual earnings for the construction portion of the jobs at an impressive $50,396) and generates personal (household) income of between $1.01 and $1.06 billion. In addition, each $1 billion invested generates approximately $82.4 million in state and local tax revenue.

The results are based on actual data collected from 116 water and wastewater construction projects in five demographically diverse states, including 73 different counties. The projects were completed in 2006 and 2007, and encompass a comprehensive array of geographic regions, project types, sizes, materials, construction methods and labor markets. The output, jobs and income (direct, indirect and induced) tied to these projects were determined at the county, state and national levels using two respected input-output models and multipliers (IMPLAN and RIMS II).

In commenting on the value of the Sudden Impact report, NUCA CEO Bill Hillman had this to say: "By revising and expanding the much-heralded CWC findings from the early 1990s, the new findings will be instrumental in our struggle to draw public and political attention to the growing infrastructure crisis and procure new funding to meet documented national needs."

Prepared by PA Consulting Group--a leading global management, systems and technology consulting firm--Sudden Impact was made possible by generous financial support from the following members of the CWC and its corporate partners: American Council of Engineering Companies; American Road and Transportation Builders Association; American Society of Civil Engineers; Associated Equipment Distributors; Association of Equipment Manufacturers; Caterpillar; Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association; John Deere Construction Equipment Company; Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust; National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association; National Utility Contractors Association; Plastics Pipe Institute; Portland Cement Association; The Vinyl Institute; and Water and Sewer Distributors of America.