Urban infrastructure and services globally, including water supply and distribution and wastewater treatment, are in need of major investment within the next five years if they are to remain adequate, according to 68% of respondents to a survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Commissioned by FCC (Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas), the Spanish environmental services, infrastructure and water group, the findings of the survey have been published in a new report entitled “Urban Infrastructure Insights 2015”.

The report says that critically for the water sector it suggests city leaders face an uphill task of winning public support for “hidden” infrastructure like water services. However, the survey also found that  72% of citizens would change water consumption levels if given better information about usage levels, emphasising need to enhance information flow and harness citizen engagement.

The report is warning that a five year crunch point can be expected for urban infrastructure and services, including water, unless city leaders take effective action. Key issues highlighted in the report include:

• Policy makers put water supply in top three list of concerns for urban infrastructure and services, but face an uphill task of winning public support for “hidden” infrastructure like water services
• 72% of citizens would change water consumption levels if given better information about usage levels, emphasising need to enhance information flow and harness citizen engagement

The study, which surveyed over 400 policy makers and business executives across the world assessed the state of global urban infrastructure and services, and how city leaders can engage with citizens and service providers to secure support and investment for these projects. Despite a pressing need for maintenance and upgrades to often decades old infrastructure services such as water supply, distribution and treatment, the research revealed that the value of “hidden infrastructure” is more often only recognised by policy makers.

Brian Gardner, Senior Editor at the EIU, and editor of the report said:

“Most citizens are more likely to be concerned about infrastructure that they can see breaking down. They don’t see potholes or traffic jams in their water, sewage or energy infrastructure, so it is easy to assume these systems are always fully-functioning.”

Dan Hoornweg, professor and research chair, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and former lead advisor, sustainable cities to the World Bank in his interview with the EIU underlined just how hard it is to convince citizens to support “hidden infrastructure” projects saying that most people are unwilling to support price increases in utility bills yet when these services break down, even for a few hours, citizens are outraged.

In terms of the challenge of funding, respondents in Western Europe were most likely to cite lack of funding as an impediment to improving infrastructure compared to any other region. The scale of the wider challenge has been highlighted by the American Society of Engineers’ who estimate that the U.S. alone will have to invest US$3.6 trillion to get its roads, bridges, water systems and other urban infrastructure back in shape back in shape. One funding mechanism suggested is greater government collaboration with the private sector, through public-private partnerships (PPPs). This was encouraged by 82% of respondents, with it being viewed as a means to deliver more innovative and cost-effective solutions.

Emerging markets fare worst in terms of infrastructure being inadequate, resulting in over-tapped water systems and other service deficits. Reducing any waste is vital, including waste derived from infrastructure inefficiencies such as water systems. For this reason, improving collaboration with citizens was also acknowledged as pivotal to cities’ success.

Felix Parra, First Executive Chairman of FCC Aqualia, commented:

“Although infrastructure such as water cycle management and wastewater may be regarded by many as “hidden” services, the critical role they play in the city cannot be underestimated. There is a big information gap that needs to be closed between citizens, city authorities and infrastructure service providers.”

Forming a crucial part of a city’s decision-making framework, the report says city leaders can capitalise on new technology and social inventions to engage in dialogue with citizens and help ensure their views on projects and maintenance are heard and engaged with - 72% of respondents said they would be willing to change their water and energy consumption if given better access to consumption information. IBM’s Smarter Planet Program has showed consumers used an average of 6.6% less water after smart water meters were installed in their homes.

The recommendations of the report call for city authorities to work together as partners rather than adversaries, build relationships with citizens through feedback platforms, and be honest with citizens and service providers. They also suggest improving efficiency of infrastructure and service delivery through partnerships like PPPs, and planning for the long-term by introducing open source standards, or establishing policies that require new structures meet energy, water and wastewater efficiency goals.

Click here to download the report infull