You know what they say about infrastructure: It’s like the weather. Everyone talks about it but no one ever does anything about it.

People don’t really say that about infrastructure, of course, but perhaps we should say it in state capitals and Washington.

Throughout our states — and many others — infrastructure constructed and maintained by local governments is crumbling. St. Clairsville is an excellent example.

There, municipal officials are so worried about the water and sewer systems that they have proposed selling them to a private company. One, Aqua Ohio, has submitted a bid.

Whether it should be accepted is a matter of dispute. Cynics worry that if Aqua Ohio takes over, St. Clairsville residents will pay higher utility bills than if the municipality retained ownership. They also question the quality of service from the firm.

Municipal officials respond that there is no realistic option in the matter. The water and sewer systems are in such deplorable condition that St. Clairsville cannot afford to make needed repairs and upgrades, they say.

Safety and Service Director Jim Zucal put his finger on the problem last week, during a tour of the water plant by members of the news media.

“It comes down to one word: capital,” Zucal commented. It would cost $20 million to $25 million merely to upgrade the water plant, he said. With $3.5 million in debt for water and sewer projects in the past, St. Clairsville cannot raise that kind of money, municipal officials say.

Though there are numerous state and federal loan and grant programs for such purposes, St. Clairsville officials are far from alone in saying they are inadequate to deal with the massive problem of crumbling infrastructure.

How is it that there is no mechanism in local, state or federal government able to match the private sector? In this case, how can Aqua Ohio pledge to find the money for needed repairs and upgrades, yet keep rates reasonable — but government cannot?

It is a question state legislators and members of Congress ought to be asking. It is coming up now in St. Clairsville — but rest assured, officials and residents of other towns, townships and counties will be asking the same question in the future.