U.S. Water Infrastructure Given ‘D’ Grade by ASCE Group
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The U.S. drinking water and sewage infrastructure earned a barely passing grade of D from the American Society of Civil Engineers today, which said at least $1 trillion is needed to fix the problem.
The ASCE in its quadrennial Report Card for America’s Infrastructure said the drinking water infrastructure improved slightly, to a D from an almost failing D- in 2009, even as U.S. pipes and treatment plants near the end of their expected lifespan. With almost 240,000 water main breaks a year, it would take more than $1 trillion to repair and replace systems, the report said, citing the American Water Works Association.