NACE International, The Worldwide Corrosion Authority, recently applauded the U.S. Congress (Washington, DC) for its bipartisan passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016.
WRDA funds the nation’s waterways, ports, levees, dams, and other important water infrastructure—most under the purview of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) (Washington, DC). This legislation authorizes the USACE to carry out its mission of maintaining and improving several U.S. water infrastructure projects.
In 2014, the WRDA bill put forth recommendations for the USACE to have essential corrosion-control plans in place when maintaining and improving water infrastructure projects. Two years later, the WRDA bill passed in December 2016 includes language that asks the USACE to report on how they are implementing that provision.
“We commend Congress on its passage of legislation that addresses the threats of unmitigated corrosion,” says Bob Chalker, CEO of NACE International. “When corrosion is not taken into consideration the nation’s waterways, dams, and levees are subject to severe deterioration and at risk of immeasurable financial and societal costs.”
“We thank Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, Congressman Pete Olson and the Congressional Corrosion Prevention Caucus members for their continued work to ensure the safety and longevity of America’s infrastructure,” Chalker adds. “This group sees infrastructure repairs and development in a way that many others do not. They recognize that proper planning and the use of qualified professionals makes the difference between a quick fix and durable, life- and cost-saving infrastructure.”
Excessive costs associated with the replacement of deteriorating structures can be eliminated with corrosion planning that emphasizes existing cathodic protection and coatings technologies, NACE explains.
When assets are consistently maintained and corrosion control technologies are properly installed, expenses can be reduced by up to 30% and the life of an asset can be extended for many years, according to the group.