Future Investment In Drinking Water And Wastewater Infrastructure

According to experts from the EPA & various nonfederal groups, the nation's drinking water & wastewater systems face increasing challenges over the next several decades in maintaining& replacing their pipes, treatment plants, & other infrastructure. But there is neither consensus on the size & timing of future investment costs nor agreement on the impact of those costs on households & other water ratepayers. This study provides background information on the nation's water systems, presents estimates of future costs for water infrastructure under two scenarios -- a low-cost case & a high-cost case -- & discusses broad policy options for the federal government. An objective, impartial analysis, without recommendations. 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.

DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE: Information on Identified Needs, Planning for Future Conditions, and Coordination of Project Funding