Non-profit Trust in Water has called on candidates and policymakers to make US water infrastructure a top priority for 2027, ahead of elections on 3 November. The organisation said the country’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems are ageing and underfunded in many places. It added that leaders taking office in January can help the country respond.
Trust in Water is a 501(c)(4) non-profit set up to provide education about the role of private water and wastewater providers in delivering water services to communities across the US. Its statement, issued from West Orange, New Jersey, sets out three policy areas for the next Congress, state leaders and regulators.
Funding needs for US water infrastructure
The organisation pointed to estimates from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA puts the need for drinking water systems alone at $625 billion over 20 years in its seventh drinking water needs assessment. That figure is 32% higher than the agency’s previous assessment.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) projects a 10-year funding gap of nearly $1 trillion across drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. In its 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, ASCE gave drinking water a C-, wastewater a D+ and stormwater a D.
Ageing pipes, lead lines and a retiring workforce
Trust in Water said the funding gap shows up in communities every day. It cited the following figures:
- Roughly 450,000 miles of water main have exceeded their useful lives
- About 240,000 water main breaks occur each year
- An estimated 9.2 million lead service lines remain in use
- About one-third of the water workforce will be eligible to retire within the decade
Carol Haddock, P.E., President of ASCE, linked the condition of the network to costs for households. She cited the Bridging the Gap report produced by ASCE and the US Water Alliance.
“America can no longer afford the risk of deferring investment in our critical water infrastructure. Aging and failing water infrastructure poses significant risks to public health and safety, and costs each American household hundreds of dollars per year according to ASCE and the U.S. Water Alliance’s Bridging the Gap report,” said Carol Haddock, P.E., President, American Society of Civil Engineers.
“Service reliability impacts communities and impedes economic growth. Sustained and sufficient investment from both the public and private sectors is essential to addressing the backlog and preparing for the future. Our communities deserve access to safe and affordable drinking water.”
The cost of deferring investment
According to Trust in Water, deferring investment does not remove the cost. The organisation said that water main breaks and other emergencies linked to ageing infrastructure bring costs well beyond repairing the broken pipe. These include emergency response, water loss, service disruption and damage to roads and other infrastructure.
It said that investing proactively in ageing water systems can help reduce these avoidable costs while improving reliability for customers and communities.
The organisation added that meeting infrastructure needs while keeping essential water service affordable will require a balanced, comprehensive approach. It listed sustained public and private investment and regionalisation where it can create greater operational and financial capacity. It also listed collaboration between public and private entities and the reinstatement of a permanent federal water affordability programme to complement state, local and utility assistance.
Together, Trust in Water said, these tools can help communities make necessary investments without placing the full burden on customers.
Policy priorities for 2027
Trust in Water is urging the next Congress, state leaders and regulators to make 2027 the year the country commits to closing the gap. It set out three priorities:
- Protecting state revolving funds from diversion
- Establishing a permanent federal water affordability programme
- Supporting the expansion of Clean Water state revolving funding to all providers
The call to open Clean Water state revolving funding to all providers comes from an organisation whose stated remit is educating the public about private water and wastewater providers. It describes these providers as trusted partners to communities in delivering water services.
Frequently asked questions
What is Trust in Water asking election candidates to do?
Trust in Water is asking candidates and policymakers to make water infrastructure a top priority for 2027. It wants the next Congress, state leaders and regulators to commit to closing the infrastructure funding gap.
How much investment do US drinking water systems need?
The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that drinking water systems alone need $625 billion over 20 years. That is 32% more than its previous assessment.
What is the US water infrastructure funding gap?
The American Society of Civil Engineers projects a 10-year funding gap of nearly $1 trillion across drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
What grades did ASCE give US water infrastructure in 2025?
In its 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, ASCE gave drinking water a C-, wastewater a D+ and stormwater a D.
What policies does Trust in Water want in 2027?
It wants state revolving funds protected from diversion and a permanent federal water affordability programme established. It also wants Clean Water state revolving funding expanded to all providers.
