The nation’s drinking water infrastructure received a slightly better grade in a report card released in March by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). By showing signs of progress, the sector received a D, up from D- received on the previous report card in 2009.
The ACSE 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure warned, however, that significant capital investments would be needed to address problems associated with aging systems and said “much of our drinking water infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life.” While there are an estimated 240,000 water main breaks in the U.S. each year, and pipes and mains are frequently more than 100 years old and in need of replacement, outbreaks of disease attributable to drinking water are rare, the report noted. The quality of drinking water throughout the nation also remains universally high.
“The reason why we want to make improvements to our infrastructure is not just simply to improve the grade,” said ASCE President Greg DiLoreto, general manager of the Tualatin Valley Water District. “Investment in our infrastructure will help grow our economy; it will create jobs and improve our quality of life. It means being able to get to work easier without sitting in traffic all day long, and continuing to enjoy safe, clean and reliable drinking water anywhere in the country, and having an electrical transmission grid with fewer or no blackouts.”
Wastewater infrastructure also received a grade of D in the latest report card. Capital investment needs for wastewater and stormwater systems were estimated to total $298 billion during the next 20 years, according to the report. Three-quarters of that money should go toward repairing and expanding pipes to address sanitary sewer overflows, combined sewer overflows and other pipe-related issues. The report cited progress made in addressing combined sewer overflows: since 2007, cities have been required to invest more than $15 billion in new pipes, plants and equipment to eliminate these overflows.
The 2013 grade for the nation’s overall infrastructure – including major infrastructure categories such as transportation and energy – rose to a D+, compared to a D in the last report.
The ASCE 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure is available atwww.infrastructurereportcard.org.