WPSU documentary on aging water infrastructure to air nationally

Beaches in southern California may be closed due to the threat of polluted and contaminated stormwater reaching the Pacific Ocean.

University Park, Pa. — It is out of sight and out of mind, but America’s aging water system is in dire need of an overhaul. Penn State Public Broadcasting (WPSU-TV) is set to premiere a public television event on the looming crisis underneath people's feet and how communities are trying to meet this challenge.

"Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure," tells of America’s distressed essential infrastructure systems: drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. These complex and aging systems — some in the ground for more than 150 years — are critical components for basic sanitation, health, public safety, economic development and a host of other necessities of life.

A four-minute trailer is available for viewing online now at http://liquidassets.psu.edu.

The 90-minute documentary will be available nationwide to all public broadcasting stations beginning Oct. 1. The air date in the WPSU viewing area will be announced later; check http://wpsu.org for updates.

"The goal of this public-service media project is to stimulate community discussion and bring this issue into the public consciousness, using television as a catalyst," said Tom Keiter, executive producer of the documentary. "We want 'Liquid Assets' to be more than just a broadcast."

The documentary explores major water, sewage and stormwater infrastructure issues facing communities across the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C. and Herminie, Pa.

Accompanying the documentary is an online companion toolkit, intended to help facilitate discussions that extend beyond the broadcast. The community toolkit, also available at http://liquidassets.psu.edu, includes an outreach guide and other resources to complement the documentary.

"Liquid Assets" will also be available on DVD on through Penn State Media Sales for $24.95 plus shipping and handling. It can be ordered by calling (800) 770-2111 or by visiting http://mediasales.psu.edu.

"Liquid Assets" is a production of WPSU, Penn State Public Broadcasting. Credits for the production include Tom Keiter, executive producer; Melanie Doebler, project director; Stephanie Ayanian, producer; Stephanie Ayanian and Mark Cooper, writers/directors; Elaine Brzycki, project manager; Ryan Witt, director of photography; and Greg Feinberg, editor.

Major funding for the "Liquid Assets" documentary was provided by the Colcom Foundation, with additional funding from the Associated General Contractors of America, the American Society of Civil Engineers and its Environmental and Water Resources Institute, Insituform Technologies, and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

Support for community outreach efforts was provided by National Association of Water Companies, Water Environment Federation, Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association, 3 Rivers Wet Weather, American Public Works Association, American Water Works Association, CH2M HILL, Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association, Gannett Fleming, National Association of Sewer Service Cos., National Utility Contractors Association, Northwest Pipe Co. and Plastics Pipe Institute.

For information on the airing of "Liquid Assets" or for media interviews, contact Dave Aneckstein, dxa141@outreach.psu.edu or (814) 865-7600.