A new report warns that the United States’ water infrastructure is unsustainable and is not prepared to address the rapidly evolving water crisis. The National Infrastructure Advisory Council voted unanimously on Monday to approve the report, which sought to explore how the U.S. Federal government should help critical infrastructure owners and operators prepare for and act on this water crisis, including the Colorado River Basin. According to Nextgov/FCW, “water and wastewater systems have faced increased cyber threats in recent years, in addition to new security challenges posed by climate change, growing demand for fixed water supplies nationwide and a critical lack of funding.”
Caitlin Grady is an assistant professor of engineering management and systems engineering at the George Washington University. Grady studies the form and functions of interconnected infrastructure across water, food, and energy systems. Her research seeks to combine network models, socio-technical data, and ethical-epistemic analyses to create a more sustainable and secure environment. Grady’s areas of expertise also include adaptation to climate change, hydropower and critical infrastructure.
“I applaud the NIAC for highlighting the critical investment needs for water systems. In the U.S., water system risks threaten not only drinking water but also water for agriculture, electricity, and more,” Grady says. “We haven’t prioritized protecting our water systems for decades and it is no longer sustainable. It is imperative to change that now, for climate resilience, cybersecurity, and economic sustainability.”
If you would like to speak with Professor Grady, please contact GW Senior Media Relations Specialist Cate Douglass at [email protected].
-GW-
