The nation has an estimated need of between $400 and $600 billion over the next 20 years for safe drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. One of the primary sources of federal funding for drinking water and waste water infrastructure are the highly successful, but chronically underfunded, Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) programs. In addition, to help stabilize the level of water infrastructure funding, a Clean Water Trust Fund is needed for a user-fee based, deficit-neutral funding stream. The recently enacted Recovery Act included additional water infrastructure but the funding for the programs lags significantly behind the needs.
EPA Section
EPA Data
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the primary source for information on the needs and current water/wastewater infrastructure backlog for each state and territory. Much information can be found at their water infrastructure portal here: http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure
Clean Water
On the clean water side (wastewater and stormwater), EPA has the Clean Watersheds Needs Survey. This survey is taken every four years and each state submits its infrastructure needs to: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/datait/databases/cwns/index.cfm
Drinking Water
For drinking water, EPA has the Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Assessment. The detail is a bit less than they provide for wastewater, but info and state fact sheets can be found here: http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/drinkingwater/dwns/index.cfm
There is also the Community Water Systems Survey, for the smallest community systems, which can be found here: http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/drinkingwater/pws/cwssvr.cfm
Needs section
Water Needs
2013 American Society of Civil Engineers Infrastructure Report Card+
Crumbling Pipes and Underground Waste: A Glimpse at Our Ailing Sewer Systems (PBS Newshour [Video], 2013)+
Buried No Longer: Confronting America's Water Infrastructure Challenge (American Water Works Association, 2012)+
Water Main Breaks in the USA and Canada: A Comprehensive Study (Utah State University – Buried Structures Labratory, 2012)+
Failure to Act: The Economic Impact of Current Investment Trends in Water and Waste Treatment Infrastructure (American Society of Civil Engineers, 2011)+
Water Works: Rebuilding Infrastructure, Creating Jobs, Greening the Environment (Green For All, 2011)+
Trends in Local Government Expenditures on Public Water and Wastewater Services and Infrastructure: Past, Present and Future (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2010)+
Water Infrastructure Needs and Investment: Review and Analysis of Key Issues (Congressional Research Service, 2008)+
Still Living Without the Basics in the 21st Century: Analyzing the Availability of Water and Sanitation Services in the United States (Rural Community Assistance Partnership, 2004)+
Water Infrastructure: Information on Financing, Capital Planning and Privatization (Government Accountability Office, 2002)+
The Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002)+
Future Investment in Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure (Congressional Budget Office, 2002)+
Water Infrastructure: Information on Federal and State Financial Assistance (Government Accountability Office, 2001)+
Dawn of the Replacement Era: Reinvesting in Drinking Water Infrastructure (American Water Association, 2001)+
Clear & Safe Water for the 21st Century: A Renewed National Commitment to Water and Wastewater Infrastructure (Water Infrastructure Network, 2000)+
Investment Benefits:
Investment Benefits
Importance of Water to the United States Economy (U.S. EPA, 2013)+
Job Protection and Tracking Guide (Green for All, 2013)+
Reliable Water Service and the Economy (American Water, 2012)+
Risk of Viral Acute Gastrointestinal Illness from Nondisinfected Drinking Water Distribution Systems (American Chemical Society Journal Environmental Science & Technology, 2012)+
Investing More Now in America's Clean Water Infrastructure: Good for Jobs, the Economy, and the Environment (National Association of Clean Water Agencies, 2011)+
Sewage Exfiltration as a Source of Storm Drain Contamination During Dry Weather in Urban Watersheds (American Chemical Society Journal Environmental Science & Technology, 2011)+
Sudden Impact: An Assessment of Short-Term Economic Impacts of Water and Wastewater Construction Projects in the United States (Clean Water Council, 2009)+
Local Government Investment in Municipal Water and Sewer Infrastructure: Adding Value to the National Economy (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2008)+
Water Works: Rebuilding Infrastructure, Creating Jobs, Greening the Environment (Green for All, 2011)+
Water Trust Fund:
Water Trust Fund
Approaches and Issues for Financing Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure (Government Accountability Office, 2013)+
Design Issues and Funding Options for a Clean Water Trust Fund (Government Accountability Office, 2009)+
A Variety of Issues Need to be Considered when Designing a Clean Water Trust Fund (Government Accountability Office, 2009)+
Clear Waters: Why America Needs a Clean Water Trust Fund (Food and Water Watch, 2007)+
Water Infrastructure Now: Recommendations for Clean and Safe Water in the 21st Century (Water Infrastructure Network, 2001)+
Testimony:
"Tax Reform and Tax Provisions Affecting State & Local Governments"
House Committee on Ways and Means
March 19, 2013
AGC Statement
"Review of Innovative Financing Approaches for Community Water Infrastructure Projects"
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure
February 28, 2012
AGC Statement
"Our Nation's Water Infrastructure: Challenges and Opportunities"
Subcommittee on Water & Wildlife
Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works
December 13, 2011
AGC Statement
"Opportunities and Challenges in the Creation of a Clean Water Trust Fund"
Subcommittee on Water Resources & the Environment
House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure
July 15, 2009
AGC Statement
"The Need for Renewed Investment for Clean Water Infrastructure"
Subcommittee on Water Resources & the Environment
House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure
January 19 2007
AGC Statement
"Financing Water Infrastructure Projects"
Subcommittee on Water Resources & the Environment
House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure
June 8, 2005
AGC Statement
Additional Resources:
Additional Resources
Xylem Value of Water Report - opinion surveys on american attitudes toward water infrastructure
Xylem Infographic
Water Is Your Business
Water For Jobs
Growing Blue