About this episode
The episode discusses a report estimating a $2.1 to $2.4 trillion investment needed for U.S. drinking water infrastructure over the next 25 years.
A landmark new report from the American Water Works Association estimates the United States will need between $2.1 and $2.4 trillion in drinking water infrastructure investment over the next 25 years—and the funding gap is widening fast. In this episode, the findings of Beyond The Replacement Era are explained by Mike Grimm of West Slope Water District, Heather Collins of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Janet Clements of One Water Econ, John Mastracchio of Raftelis, and Adam Carpenter of AWWA. The report identifies a structural shift in water sector costs, with utilities now navigating compounding pressures from PFAS and lead regulations, climate resilience, cybersecurity, and increasingly scarce water sources—not just aging pipes. Without new investment strategies, the average household water bill could more than double by 2050, potentially pushing over 53 million households into financial stress. Federal funding for water infrastructure lags far behind other sectors like transportation, covering just 3.9 percent of public spending—a disparity the guests argue must change. Solutions discussed include expanding federal and state partnerships, consolidating…
People in this episode
Host: Travis Loop
Guests: Mike Grimm, Heather Collins, Janet Clements, John Mastracchio, Adam Carpenter
Topics covered
- drinking water infrastructure
- investment
- water sustainability
- regulations
- financial stress
- federal funding
Keywords
- drinking water
- infrastructure investment
- water utilities
- PFAS
- lead regulations
- climate resilience
- cybersecurity
- affordability assistance
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: American Water Works Association, West Slope Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, One Water Econ, Raftelis, AWWA
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