Future Investment in Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
Abstract
According to experts from the Environmental Protection Agency and various nonfederal groups, the nation's drinking water and wastewater systems face increasing challenges over the next several decades in maintaining and replacing their pipes, treatment plants, and other infrastructure. But there is neither consensus on the size and timing of future investment costs nor agreement on the impact of those costs on households and other water ratepayers. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has analyzed those issues at the request of the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This study provides background information on the nation's water systems, presents CBO's estimates of future costs for water infrastructure under two scenarios-a low-cost case and a high-cost case-and discusses broad policy options for the federal government. In keeping with CBO's mandate to provide objective, impartial analysis, this report makes no recommendations. The study was written by Perry Beider and Natalie Tawil of CBO's Microeconomic and Financial Studies Division, under the supervision of David Moore and Roger Hitchner. Many people within CBO and outside it provided valuable assistance; they are acknowledged in Appendix D.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA409207
Entities
People
- Natalie Tawil
- Perry Beider
Organizations
- Congressional Budget Office