General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEPA: U.S. Drinking Water Infrastructure Failing
"The EPA has released results of a survey showing that $384 billion in improvements are needed for the nations drinking water infrastructure through 2030 for systems to continue providing safe drinking water to 297 million Americans"
The assessment shows that improvements are primarily needed in:
Distribution and transmission: $247.5 billion to replace or refurbish aging or deteriorating lines
Treatment: $72.5 billion to construct, expand or rehabilitate infrastructure to reduce contamination
Storage: $39.5 billion to construct, rehabilitate or cover finished water storage reservoirs
Source: $20.5 billion to construct or rehabilitate intake structures, wells and spring collectors
Whole article here:
http://www.pollutionengineering.com/articles/88332-epa-us-drinking-water-infrastructure-failing
djean111
(14,255 posts)I see water privatization in the near future, because the government sure as hell isn't going to pay for clean water. Or other infrastructure, as far as I can tell.
Buzz Clik
(38,437 posts)The federal government should not pay for clean water, and the obligation of states for delivering clean water is limited.
It's your city/municipality that delivers the water and pays for it through your tax dollars. If taxpayers refuse to pay the bill, you can bet that privatization will follow instantly to fill the void.
Currently, the bill for delivering clean water is $1000 for every American. Get ready to pay.
FSogol
(45,435 posts)My water bill is $150 per quarter for a family of 4 in a single family home. We do conserve water with rainwater harvesting for the garden, limiting grass in our yard, and low flow fixtures, so my bill is probably lower than my neighbors.
Buzz Clik
(38,437 posts)It will probably take 10 years to fix. On average, that will be $100 per quarter for your family.
Public, private. That's the cost. Are you willing to pay that? You may not have a choice.
FSogol
(45,435 posts)it fails. Think of the people projects that would employ. The US has become too shortsighted.
Still not getting the math, $1k quarterly would be $250 more each payment. Privatized water companies would be even more expensive since they have share holders to please.
Buzz Clik
(38,437 posts)The total cost from the OP is about $250 billion with about 250 million people. That's $1000 per person. Your household of four means your bill would (on average) be $4000. I suggested it would be spread out over 10 years or 40 quarters, or $100 per quarter for you. Not worth a lot of debate -- it's all speculative.
FSogol
(45,435 posts)kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)Buzz Clik
(38,437 posts)Is it your impression that it's 100% government owned and operated?
progressoid
(49,929 posts)It's got electrolytes.
galileoreloaded
(2,571 posts)you would enter into public-private partnerships, fund the repairs, and take equity in the entire system.
oh wait, thats exactly what they are going to do because we will let them....
Buzz Clik
(38,437 posts)galileoreloaded
(2,571 posts)to be servants and how to exist post-Pax Americana.
Buzz Clik
(38,437 posts)It should serve them well.
galileoreloaded
(2,571 posts)so all i can do is keep donating to orgs that actually help people cope.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)infrastructure jobs and money in the long ago deceased jobs bill.
They have been working on the water mains here for a couple of summers now. It's by no means a wide spread project though.
Buzz Clik
(38,437 posts)It was in my city, and miles and miles of water lines replaced.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)work going on here. I don't venture off to do an all points tour of the city here regularly.
The water here is pretty damn good. I don't bother buying bottled water.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)at prices set by greedy corporations for maximum profit.
FSogol
(45,435 posts)TheMadMonk
(6,187 posts)Best is as big as you can afford and fit.
Use a sump pump in a barrel to expand your options for tank placement.
2/3 of the rain falling on my home is pumped 70m to a 22500l (5500 gallon) tank down behind my modest little shed.
FSogol
(45,435 posts)If for drinking, do you have UV and bag filters?
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)You wanna come here and maybe help out with that?
FirstLight
(13,355 posts)..isn't this like the POWER and HIGHWAY infrastructure we need fixed?
ya, I feel confident that is gonna happen soon...
FSogol
(45,435 posts)ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)The water tastes much better than "city" water.
Warpy
(111,121 posts)with osmotic purification systems for the rich, boiling and filtering for the rest of us.