The 2024 Water Resources Development Act: A Win for U.S. Infrastructure and Corrosion Prevention

The 2024 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) marks a significant milestone in the journey to strengthen and sustain the nation’s water infrastructure. Recently, House and Senate negotiators unveiled this comprehensive legislation, which authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program and outlines critical policies for water resource projects across the country. For those of us in the materials protection and performance industry, this year’s WRDA includes a particularly noteworthy advancement: a mandate for corrosion prevention.

Corrosion Prevention Take Center Stage

Section 1135 of the WRDA 2024 introduces a pivotal requirement—corrosion prevention must now be incorporated into all authorized projects. Developed with input from AMPP and its industry partners, this provision prioritizes infrastructure protection, reducing maintenance costs, and ensuring the longevity of public investments.

Why is this important? Corrosion is a costly and often underestimated threat to infrastructure. By mandating corrosion prevention as part of these projects, this legislation takes a proactive approach to safeguarding the billions of dollars the federal government invests in water resources every two years.

What Does the Mandate Include? 

To ensure the highest standards, the legislation specifies that corrosion prevention activities must align with one of two pathways:

1. Programs accredited by organizations setting industry standards for corrosion mitigation and prevention.
2. Industrial coatings applicator programs recognized under the National Apprenticeship Act or approved as employment or training activities.

This approach ensures that the people and processes involved in corrosion prevention meet rigorous professional standards, paving the way for more sustainable infrastructure.