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EPA Headquarters Information
Related Region 8 Information
Drinking Water Programs
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EPA Regions 6 and 8 will be hosting a Forum on Sustainable Water Infrastructure in Denver on December 2-3, 2008. For more information click here, and to register click here.
Region 8 Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Federal resources are shrinking. Demands on our water systems are growing at unprecedented rates. Not surprisingly, water utilities are facing significant challenges in keeping pace with infrastructure needs over the next 20 years. Also,
- Wastewater and drinking water systems are aging,
- The U.S. population is increasing and shifting geographically,
- Current treatment may not be sufficient to address emerging issues and potentially stronger regulatory requirements,
- Investment in research and development has declined.
What are we to do to ensure that the drinking water and waste water needs of communities are met?
Why is Sustainable Water Infrastructure important?
Much of our nation's water infrastructure was constructed in the period following World War II and will be reaching the end of its useful life in the next 20-40 years. Utilities and their local communities are increasingly required to provide the primary sources of funding (both capital and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs) to meet those needs; however, many utilities and communities are finding themselves in a position where adequate funds to meet water infrastructure needs are not available to keep up with necessary capital and O&M investments.
What is Sustainable Water Infrastructure?
Sustainable Water Infrastructure is an initiative launched by EPA, working with its many partners, to fundamentally change the way the nation views and manages its water infrastructure. It revolves around four priority areas:
