Guides

Water and wastewater utilities are at a critical inflection point. Aging infrastructure, rising demand, regulatory pressures, and funding constraints are converging to challenge system reliability, affordability, and long-term resilience. Many utilities continue to operate assets that have exceeded their intended lifespan, while climate volatility and evolving compliance requirements further intensify operational and capital planning complexity.

This guide outlines:

• The structural challenges facing U.S. water and wastewater systems.
• Emerging funding opportunities and policy mechanisms.
• How technology-enabled capital planning, asset management, and risk management drive better outcomes.
• The shift from reactive maintenance to proactive stewardship.
• The need to align funding continuity, regulatory compliance, digital resilience, and affordability.
• How decisive action can improve system performance and public trust.
• Pathways to building resilient, sustainable water infrastructure for the future.