New York's water, sewer systems need $75 billion for repairs 'invisible' to taxpayers

[ensho]

http://www.lohud.com/article/20111009/NEWS01/110090352


Of the state's $250 billion in infrastructure needs over the next 20 years, the bulk is for deficient bridges and crumbling roads that can be seen in plain view by the taxpayers who fund them.

But $75 billion is needed for the thousands of aging, underground sewer and drinking-water systems that serve 18 million residents across the state.

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Local ratepayers will see it in their annual sewer bills starting in 2014, when the average cost will rise by $350 to pay for just a portion of the repairs.

Few bodies of water are immune.

The Hudson River, for instance, has endured a spate of sewage releases in the past two years that left the stretch along Westchester, Rockland and Putnam more contaminated in 2010 with bacteria from nearly 19 million gallons of sewage — more than the entire coast of California.

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but the stupid war against weed continues

money, money, money

[dkf]

1. I wish sewer repairs were invisible.

When ours breaks around here it really screws up traffic while doing repairs is a mess also.

[Ian David]

2. Invisible until all the freaky ectoplasm erupts. n/t

[jwirr]

3. I suspect that is a true statement in most communities - give or take

a dollar or two.