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.
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.
To ensure the highest standards, the legislation specifies that corrosion prevention activities must align with one of two pathways:
This approach ensures that the people and processes involved in corrosion prevention meet rigorous professional standards, paving the way for more sustainable infrastructure.
Another critical component of the legislation is accountability. Within 90 days of WRDA 2024 being signed into law, the Secretary of the Army must report to Congress on the status of corrosion prevention measures across water resource projects. This report will also address a long-overdue study on the implementation of these measures, providing transparency and highlighting areas for improvement.
“Corrosion prevention is fundamental to the sustainability, safety, and longevity of our nation’s water resources infrastructure,” said Kern Williams, AMPP Manager of Government Relations. “Including this language in WRDA 2024 is a pivotal moment for the industry and a testament to the critical role of corrosion control in protecting public investments.”
For AMPP and its members, this legislation is a hard-earned victory. It demonstrates the impact of ongoing advocacy efforts and highlights the essential role our industry plays in ensuring the resilience of U.S. infrastructure.
As WRDA 2024 moves toward final passage and enactment, AMPP remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for policies that protect and enhance the nation’s infrastructure. This mandate is not just a win for the materials protection industry—it’s a win for taxpayers, engineers, and the future of U.S. water resources.
To learn more about AMPP’s advocacy efforts and the materials protection industry, visit Government Affairs - AMPP.
This is a proud moment for everyone invested in infrastructure sustainability, and it’s only the beginning.