Rutland public works commissioner speaks on water infrastructure issues

Each day Vermonters run water, flush water, swim in lakes, fish in ponds and generally take the notion of clean water for granted. As Rutland’s public works commissioner, Jeff Wennberg runs the largest water treatment plant in the state, and he has experience on environmental issues both on a state and national scale.

Wennberg’s resume includes six terms as the mayor of Rutland, four years as the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, five years as senior project manager for the Center for Climate Strategies in Washington, D.C., and experience with a handful of other public and private organizations.

In this episode of Vote for Vermont, co-hosts Pat McDonald and Ben Kinsley interview Wennberg about water quality in Vermont.

According to Wennberg, the oldest active water pipe in Vermont dates back to two years before Abraham Lincoln became president. To get the system updated, the state would need to spend $1 million per year for 100 years.

But a regulatory fix for water is a balancing act. He says the business community used to go out of state for development because environmental regulations in other places were ultimately more streamlined and efficient. Wennberg has since helped Vermont move in a better direction.

Watch full episode:

Image courtesy of Vote for Vermont/Orca Media