Is clean water infrastructure a good investment?
Clean water infrastructure is a necessary public health and environmental investment, and a sound economic investment. Construction of wastewater facilities is among the highest generators of jobs for all infrastructure categories. Each $1 billion in sewer improvements generates over 57,000 direct and indirect jobs.
What clean water infrastructure needs has the EPA reported?
EPA’s 1996 Needs Survey reported $139.5 billion in wastewater infrastructure needs based on eligible costs under the CWA. On March 18, 1999, however, EPA released preliminary, revised estimates that indicate $199.6 billion in wastewater needs over 20 years.
How have federal clean water requirements for local governments changed?
Initially, EPA required local governments with POTWs to construct and implement “secondary treatment,” which is defined as the best available control technology. This step was costly, but with significant levels of federal grant funding, it resulted in a major nationwide improvement in wastewater treatment and water quality.