The Water Industry

“…The public can best be provided water services by self-sustaining enterprises that are adequately financed with rates and charges based on sound accounting, engineering, financial, and economic principles.”

“The collection and treatment of domestic sewage and wastewater is vital to public health and clean water. It is among the most important factors responsible for the general level of good health enjoyed in the United States.”

“75% of Americans support a proactive program of water infrastructure upgrades, rather than fixing problems as they arise.”

“We can no longer afford to defer investment in our nation’s infrastructure.”

“Because America’s drinking water infrastructure provides a critical service, significant new investment and increased efficiencies are needed as filtration plants, pipes, and pumps age past their useful life.”

“While drinking water infrastructure is funded primarily through a rate-based system, the investment has been inadequate for decades and will continue to be underfunded without significant changes as the revenue generated will fall short as needs grow.”

“Traditionally biosolids were considered waste and transferred to landfills. However, when properly treated and processed biosolids become nutrient rich organic material that can be applied as fertilizer or, through the use of anaerobic digesters and centrifuges, can be pelletized and incinerated at high pressure and temperature for use as energy.”

“As cities continue to experience population growth, particularly in the south and west, new housing developments are constructed, and rural households switch from septic systems to public sewers, pressure on existing centralized systems and treatment plant infrastructure will require billions of dollars in new investment to meet federal regulatory requirements.”

“Of all the infrastructure types, water is the most fundamental to life, and is irreplaceable for drinking, cooking, and bathing.”

“…Many industries–food and chemical manufacturing and power plants, for example–could not operate without the clean water that is a component of finished processes or that is used for industrial processes or cooling.”

“Well-maintained public drinking water and wastewater infrastructure is critical for public health, strong businesses, and clean rivers and aquifers. Up to this moment American households and businesses have never had to contemplate how much they are willing to pay for water if it becomes hard to obtain.”

“Especially in the country’s older cities, much of the drinking-water infrastructure is old and in need of replacement. Failures in drinking-water infrastructure can result in water disruptions, impediments to emergency response, and damage to other types of infrastructure.”

“Water infrastructure in the US is aging and overburdened and investment isn’t keeping up with the need.”

“As the water sector faces increasing challenges with water quality and availability, utilities must take a broader view of how they address water, the world’s most valuable resource, and manage water in all its stages.”

“One-fifth of the US economy would grind to a halt without a reliable and clean source of water.”

“If the estimated investment gap were closed, it would result in over $220 billion in total annual economic activity to the country. These investments would generate and sustain approximately 1.3 million jobs over the 10-year period.”

“Service disruptions put $43.5 billion in daily economic activity at risk.”

“If the water infrastructure gap is not addressed, industries and households are projected to experience higher costs to procure water and wastewater services.”

“Population pressures, climate change, aging infrastructure, and funding limitations strain water resources and call for sustainable resource management solutions and circular economy over the next century.”