Paul Tonko: “Absolutely. So let's think of it in those sorts of terms so that we can have a better understanding and awareness of an…”

“Absolutely. So let's think of it in those sorts of terms so that we can have a better understanding and awareness of an aged infrastructure, which, by the way, is also accompanied by a discontinued inventory in many cases. Valves that are required are no longer manufactured. So we have to come up with some innovative response when there is a break. While we have talked a lot about capital improvements, capital infrastructure, and physical infrastructure that is required to pay for and build back these systems, there is also that third leg of the stool: human infrastructure. When I tour these water systems in my district, one of the learning curves is the declining effort of professionals--not their effort--the declining numbers of professionals who have the awesome responsibility of operating and maintaining these systems. So the education, the training, the retraining, the higher education, and the certification of individuals who makes these systems work and provide for that water when you turn on the tap, they are there. But there is an aging out because I think we have ignored this. So career paths have not been developed in the minds of students to go into this sort of science. And it is an important, awesome responsibility. Will that institutional knowledge be passed on or will we just go without? So the human infrastructure is an important piece of this puzzle, also, to have the qualified women and men conducting their professionalism to serve the community.…”