The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) backgrounder titled “How U.S. Water Infrastructure Works” provides an overview of the country’s massive and complex infrastructure and explains how its water system is crucial to its economy.
However, it faces many challenges, from chronic underinvestment, effects of climate change, growing population, pollution, and aging infrastructure, exposing its weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
According to experts, the $1 trillion infrastructure investment bill, hailed as a once-in-a-generation spending package under President Biden’s administration, falls short of the required funding to adequately address the nation’s water infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.
The article notes that U.S. drinking water is among the safest and cheapest in the world, yet many Americans still lack access to it. Many Americans are also affected by unsafe drinking water contaminated with lead and other harmful chemicals while authorities struggle to address public health hazards. Poor residential areas are hard-pressed to pay their water bills, so investment and maintenance of their water infrastructure are also affected.
On the other hand, power generation, agriculture, manufacturing, and mining rely on the country’s water supplies. A 2020 study finds that if the government makes all its needed investments in its water infrastructure, it could add $4.5 trillion and 800,000 jobs to its economy by 2039.
Regarding water consumption, the U.S. per capita is among the highest in the world, more than double that of Japan and the United Kingdom, for instance. By sector, power generation accounts for the biggest water usage at 41%, although most are recycled and not consumed. This is followed by irrigation (37%), public consumption (12%), and mining and industry (6%).
The country has a decentralized water system. It has more than 148,000 water systems across the country, but just 9% provide water to nearly 80% of the population, the rest servicing communities of under ten thousand people. As for water sources, 60% comes from surface water, and 40% from groundwater, distributed through two million miles of pipe moving billions of gallons of water daily.
However, most of this water infrastructure is over 50 years old, nearing its end of life, and needs upgrading. The EPA estimates that pipe renewables or maintenance, treatment plants, and wastewater management facilities will cost $744 billion in the next twenty years. However, a private industry group, including the American Water Works Association, thinks the cost exceeds $1 trillion.
The 2015 Flint, Michigan, lead contamination raised awareness of the dangerous effects of lead pipes on people, especially on children. Lead poisoning could result in brain damage and developmental problems. Aside from lead leaking into drinking water, other harmful chemicals and toxins can contaminate drinking water supplies. An example is the February 2023 toxic spills in East Palestine, Ohio, when a train carrying harmful chemicals derailed and crashed.
Federal Laws Through the EPA
Legislation regarding water in our country establishes a clear division of regulatory duties between the federal government and the states. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for establishing national water quality laws, which include important acts such as the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) and the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
These laws limit pollution and regulate all discharges into drinking water sources, including surface waters and wastewater treatment outputs. On the other hand, the states are tasked with the day-to-day implementation and enforcement of these regulations.
However, states are split on the federal reach and implementation of EPA’s regulations. Some oppose greater federal powers over them, while others feel that EPA is lax in enforcing water regulations and laws.
An example is the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule, issued in 1991, which required “high-risk” buildings to take measures to reduce lead exposure. Flint authorities ignored many of these requirements, leading the former state governor to face criminal charges. The article also pointed out that the EPA penalized only a small percentage of the rule’s violators. A 2021 study also finds that half of the U.S. children have detectable lead levels in their bloodstream.
Federal Infrastructure Investment
In November 2021, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) under the Biden administration was passed, committing $55 billion to water infrastructure. Most of this funding will be allocated to safeguarding environmental resources and upgrading and repairing aging systems, with a significant portion, at least $15 billion, dedicated to replacing lead pipes.
In April 2024, the Biden administration established the first-ever limits on toxic “forever chemicals” in U.S. drinking water, compelling water utilities to restrict PFAs to their lowest levels in drinking water.
Climate Change and Water Scarcity
The Southwestern states are also facing water scarcity and prolonged droughts. Seven states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—rely on the Colorado River Basin for their water supply. In February 2023, Lake Powell, one of the basin’s largest reservoirs created in 1963, reached alarmingly low levels. Although the reservoir saw a slight refill in 2024, its water levels remain dangerously low.
California, the country’s largest food producer, heavily depends on water. Three-quarters of its freshwater supply goes to agriculture. The state also grapples with droughts and water scarcity. The state has experienced a severe drought in the last two decades, with 2020 to 2022 being its driest three years on record, costing its economy over $3 billion.
Prolonged droughts and growing consumption due to population growth and food production mean that drawing water supplies from the Colorado Basin will become unsustainable.
In 2023, Arizona, California, and Nevada agreed to reduce their water intake by 13%, but analysts say this is not enough to sustainably raise the Basin’s water levels. Cities such as Los Angeles have applied conservation measures by reducing their water consumption per capita, using wastewater recycling, fines for overuse, and cash incentives for reducing usage. States like California, Nevada, and Texas are also increasingly desalinating their groundwater for farming applications.
Access to safe and clean water is absolutely crucial for the US economy. The country’s economic growth and prosperity heavily rely on having consistent and sustainable access to fresh water. Unfortunately, the US is currently dealing with significant challenges related to its water infrastructure.
Many of its drinking water and wastewater systems are aging, making them susceptible to leaks and damage. A vast network of lead pipes poses serious health risks for its residents. In addition to these issues, the ongoing effects of population growth and climate change continue to threaten the depletion of the nation’s freshwater sources.
The good news is that solutions are available, including increased funding to upgrade water infrastructure, conservation efforts, wastewater recycling, and desalination, which can boost water supplies. The government’s environmental regulations and strict implementation can reduce contamination and pollution of freshwater sources and ensure that drinking water supplies are free of hazardous contaminants and safe to drink.
Equitable investment in water infrastructure ensures that society’s most vulnerable and historically underserved members can access safe drinking water and efficient wastewater systems. Without substantial and sustained efforts, the system’s deficiencies will continue to pose significant public health and environmental risks.
Source:
How U.S. Water Infrastructure Works. (2024, May 2). Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved from https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/how-us-water-infrastructure-works
U.S. water infrastructure: Making funding count. (2021 November 24). McKinsey & Company. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/electric-power-and-natural-gas/our-insights/us-water-infrastructure-making-funding-count
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