Water is a precious resource, essential for sustaining life and economic growth. However, the United States is facing a critical challenge in maintaining the integrity of its water infrastructure. Aging systems and underinvestment have resulted in an alarming amount of water leakage occurring in many cities across the nation. According to The American Society of Civil Engineers, an estimated 6 billion gallons of treated water is lost each day in the U.S. impacting the environment, straining resources, and costing billions of dollars annually.[i]

Decades of deferred maintenance and disinvestment in water infrastructure have resulted in decrepit systems in communities struggling with significant population loss and industrial decline, leaving poorer residents with water systems that are too difficult to maintain. Many communities — especially older industrial and rural areas in the eastern half of the country — are facing potential public safety and economic catastrophes. For each city, the crisis is financially crippling for a population experiencing significant poverty.

In Prichard, Alabama, between 50 – 60% of the drinking water purchased from Mobile is lost due to failing infrastructure.[ii] Jackson, Mississippi loses approximately 65% of its water while Highland Park, outside Detroit, loses 70%, and some systems in Georgia lose more than 80%.

Water leakage has myriad impacts, encompassing environmental, economic, and public health concerns. It not only depletes valuable resources and harms the environment but also imposes financial burdens on communities, increasing costs as they are forced to purchase and treat more water than required. Additionally, the public health implications of oversized water systems are significant. Slow or stagnate water necessitates frequent flushing to prevent bacterial growth, contributing to additional water waste. Furthermore, leaks and pipe breaks can compromise the quality of water by allowing contaminants to infiltrate the system, presenting risks to public health.

Political resistance to raising water rates, difficulty in borrowing funds for infrastructure improvements, and competing demands on limited resources pose challenges for addressing this issue, particularly in poor communities. Collaborative efforts that focus on investing in infrastructure upgrades, harnessing technology, and raising public awareness are essential to secure a sustainable water future for all.

[i] “Drinking Water.” ASCE’s 2021 Infrastructure Report Card |, American Society of Civil Engineers, 7 July 2023, infrastructurereportcard.org/cat-item/drinking-water-infrastructure/.

[ii] Webber, Tammy. “Trillions of Gallons Leak from Aging Drinking Water Systems, Further Stressing Shrinking US Cities.” AP News, AP News, 4 Mar. 2024, apnews.com/article/water-loss-infrastructure-broken-pipes-poor-neighborhoods-2d747180d294ba62cdbf0906f9305802.