February 6, 2012
Graph of the Day: Projected Overall Capital Investment Gap for U.S. Water Infrastructure, 2010-2040
For drinking-water, wastewater, and storm water, this figure presents past and projected spending (blue bars) and the capital gap that is likely to occur should future spending follow this path. … [T]he overall capital gap for water infrastructure—which includes drinking-water, wastewater, and wet weather—is already significant: $54.8 billion in 2010. If spending increases at the modest but historically consistent rate shown in the figure, the gap will increase to $84.4 billion by 2020 and $143.7 billion by 2040 (in constant 2010 dollars).
Failure to Act: The Economic Impact of Current Investment Trends in Water and Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure [pdf]