Adding Value: The Link between Engineers and Municipal Infrastructure Finance and Governance

The Canadian water and wastewater deficit – the funding shortfall for necessary upgrades and new investment in infrastructure capacity – has been estimated to be in the billions of dollars. Drawing upon the political, economic, and technical history of the Southern Ontario water sector, IMFG Graduate Fellowship winner Lesley Herstein explores how short-term decision-making has often resulted in greater municipal expenditure over time on water assets. Lesley also discusses how engineering consultants and municipal engineers, with expertise in the technical, managerial, and financial aspects of municipal water infrastructure management, may be best positioned to help address the water infrastructure deficit and ensure long-term value for municipalities.