A thumb in the dike
ARRA includes $6 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, but more money is needed to improve the nation’s wastewater treatment and drinking water infrastructure, according to the Washington-based Water Design-Build Council.
7 million Americans are sickened by contaminated drinking and recreational water every year.
1.2 trillion gallons of stormwater and wastewater overflow because of leaks and breaks in sewer lines every year.
$300 to $500 billion, in addition to what is already being spent, is needed to upgrade and repair the nation’s wastewater infrastructure over the next 20 years.
Source: Water Design-Build Council, “Priority One: Investing in Clean and Safe Water for All Americans” fact sheet, Jan. 28, 2009.