EPA: U.S. Drinking Water Infrastructure Failing

[FSogol]

"The EPA has released results of a survey showing that $384 billion in improvements are needed for the nation’s 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]

1. That's okay. We can all buy our water from Nestle.

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]

3. Odd phrasing. "the government sure as hell isn't going to pay for clean water."

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]

12. $1k per year per person? Is that the privatization number?

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]

13. $1000 per person is the current bill for fixing what's wrong with drinking water delivery in the US.

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]

14. Yes, I want the all infrastructure in this country fixed/upgraded. It is easier to fix before

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]

18. I think we're on the same page. About the math:

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]

20. Got it. Thanks. n/t

[kestrel91316]

17. You sound like you are a bit happy at that prospect. Got much stock in Nestle?

[Buzz Clik]

19. Are you aware of how drinking water systems are run in this country?

Is it your impression that it's 100% government owned and operated?

[progressoid]

11. Brawndo...

It's got electrolytes.

[galileoreloaded]

2. if you were a smart company

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]

4. What's your solution?

[galileoreloaded]

5. no solution. i'm just sitting poolside waiting for the crash. teaching my children not

to be servants and how to exist post-Pax Americana.

[Buzz Clik]

7. Great philosophy.

It should serve them well.

[galileoreloaded]

9. thanks. it hard to watch a system clunk along with parts falling off along the way

so all i can do is keep donating to orgs that actually help people cope.

[HappyMe]

6. Wasn't there a bunch of

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]

8. Coulda/shoulda been part of the "shovel ready" projects for stimulus money.

It was in my city, and miles and miles of water lines replaced.

[HappyMe]

10. To be fair, there could be more

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]

15. This is quite deliberate. The RW wants us to be forced to purchase bottled water to drink,

at prices set by greedy corporations for maximum profit.

[FSogol]

16. I know. Bottled water is the biggest scam ever. n/t

[TheMadMonk]

24. Put in a water tank. A decent one. At least 1500 gallon.

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]

25. Do you use that for drinking or for watering plants?

If for drinking, do you have UV and bag filters?

[kestrel91316]

27. In my 1-BR apartment in Los Angeles??

You wanna come here and maybe help out with that?

[FirstLight]

21. ...

..isn't this like the POWER and HIGHWAY infrastructure we need fixed?

ya, I feel confident that is gonna happen soon...

[FSogol]

22. and bridges, and tunnels, and the electrical grid, and ports, and....

[ohheckyeah]

23. All I pay for water is the electricity to run the well pump.

The water tastes much better than "city" water.

[Warpy]

26. We'll be back to cisterns before we know it

with osmotic purification systems for the rich, boiling and filtering for the rest of us.