Dawn Of The Replacement Era

US water utilities face a significant economic challenge. The oldest underground infrastructure (some is more than 100 years old) is at or very near the end of its expected life span and must be replaced within the next 30 years. AWWA projects expenditures of $250 billion nationwide for the replacement of worn-out pipes and related fittings.

US water utilities face a significant economic challenge. The oldest underground infrastructure (some is more than 100 years old) is at or very near the end of its expected life span and must be replaced within the next 30 years. AWWA projects expenditures of $250 billion nationwide for the replacement of worn-out pipes and related fittings.

Communities will need an estimated $300 billion to $1 trillion over the next 20 years to repair, replace, or upgrade aging drinking water & wastewater facilities; accommodate a growing pop'n.; & meet new water quality standards. This report examines: (1) how the amount of funds obtained by large public & private drinking water & wastewater utilities -- those serving populations greater than 10,000 -- through user charges & other local funding sources compare with their cost of providing service; (2) how such utilities manage existing capital assets & plan for needed capital improvements; & (3) what factors influence private companies' interest in assuming the operation or ownership of publicly owned drinking water & wastewater facilities. Tables.

Contents: (1) Intro.; (2) Background: History of Fed. Involvement; Wastewater; Drinking Water; USDA Assistance Programs; (3) Water Infrastructure Debate: Invest. Needs; EPA Needs Surveys; Drinking Water and Wastewater Needs; Future Investment; Gap Analysis Report; (4) Issues: (a) Priorities: What are the Problems to be Solved?: Infrastructure Replace.; Security; Funding Other Priorities; (b) Fed. Role; (c) Delivering Fed. Support: Admin. Entity; Type of Assistance Provided: Grants and Loans; Fed. Funds for Private Infrastructure Systems; Fed. Tax Issues; Fed. Cross-Cutting Requirements; Set-Asides; Allotment of Funds and Congress. Directed Project Grants; (d) Res. on New Technol.; (5) Congress. and Admin. Activity, 107th-110th Congress. Tables.