Water Infrastructure

Nearly 1 million miles of water mains (pipes) in the United States provide Americans and businesses with the water that they need every day. Water infrastructure is capital intensive. However, few Americans recognize or understand the complex network of water treatment plants, pipes, and other infrastructure required to provide this critical service.

For a water utility to earn a dollar, nearly $3.40 must be invested in infrastructure, which is nearly three times that of other utility sectors. Although ground pipes last a long time, much of the pipe installed over the last century is reaching the end of its lifespan and will need to be replaced. Evidence of this need is in the amount of water lost to leaking old pipes around the country. Nationwide, the volume of water leaked equals the amount of water used by the entire state of California in a year. Accordingly, significant investment in pipes and other water infrastructure will be required in the near future.

As Congress and the administration take steps to improve our water infrastructure, the Chamber recommends:

• Lifting the cap on private activity bonds for water infrastructure.
• Strengthening the State Revolving Fund system.
• Leveraging local and private investment through federal investment.
• Employing an efficient government model for improving water infrastructure.

Water Resources Development Act