Infrastructure is the city under the city. It is the base of the towns and cities we see today. Underneath our feet however, our underground city is slowly corroding away. We may not be able to see the danger of crumbling pipes, water and sewage systems but that doesn’t mean it is any less dangerous. Infrastructure is the foundation to any great civilization and right now New York is facing major issues.

Recently the Assembly Minority Conference introduced a plan to upgrade New York’s failing water infrastructure. The Safe Water Infrastructure Action Program Act or “SWAP” would amend the current municipal law and implement a drinking water and sanitary sewer infrastructure program. This program would be implemented similarly to the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) – style program. Much like CHIPS, SWAP would provide localities with annual funding to replace and maintain these aging systems.

It is crucial that we address the crumbling infrastructure of this state, especially after we have seen infrastructure across the country crumble before our eyes. Flint, Michigan is a perfect example of why we must be proactive and address our water systems before it is too late. The old saying is “spend now and save later.” At some point our century-old pipes will need to be replaced and it is better now than after a disaster occurs.

We have seen the inability of the federal government to provide adequate funding for safe drinking water systems and due to the extreme cost of pipe replacement operations, it is impossible to expect localities to fund these projects. That is why I am fully supportive of implementing a state-funded operation. This must be a joint effort between the state providing the proper funds and the localities providing the manpower to work successfully.

Let’s not wait until we or, even worse, our children become sick. Polluted drinking systems see no party affiliation and neither should any elected official on this legislation.

I welcome your thoughts on this or any other legislative matter. Please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us or by calling my office at 315-493-3909.