Addressing America’s Aging Water Infrastructure Challenges
While U.S. drinking water is widely regarded for its safety and reliability, the nation faces significant challenges due to aging infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) reports that a water main breaks every two minutes on average, highlighting urgent infrastructure needs across the country.
Recent water issues in Atlanta illustrate broader challenges affecting many parts of the country. In the past week alone, Atlanta faced three water main breaks, disrupting water supply for numerous residents. Although one major pipe has been repaired, many residents still face boil water advisories, emphasizing the immediate and severe impact of these failures on daily life.
Richard Luthy, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University, points out that much of the country’s water infrastructure dates back 50 to 100 years. This aging infrastructure contributes to frequent breaks and disruptions. ASCE notes that these breaks not only affect water supply but also critical services such as hospitals and manufacturing, leading to significant economic losses.
Atlanta’s issues are not isolated incidents. Water infrastructure problems are widespread, with lead pipes compromising water safety in cities like Flint, Michigan, and PFAS contamination affecting water supplies nationwide. In response, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 allocates $11.7 billion to address water issues, including $15 billion for lead pipe replacement and $9 billion for emerging contaminants like PFAS. Despite these allocations, additional funding is essential to meet the estimated $452 billion needed to replace aging water mains nationwide.
A recent survey highlights that 19% of U.S. water mains have exceeded their useful life due to funding shortages, underscoring the critical need for enhanced asset management and investment in infrastructure. The “Water Main Break Rates in the USA” study conducted by USU’s Utah Water Research Laboratory surveyed 802 utilities across 49 states. The study reveals that 452,000 miles of water mains need replacement due to funding gaps, with an estimated replacement cost of $1 million per mile. The average age of failing water mains is 53 years, and approximately 33% of water mains in the U.S. are over 50 years old, highlighting the urgency of addressing aging infrastructure.