In 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted the fourth Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. The results indicate a 20-year capital investment need of $334.8 billion for public water systems that are eligible to receive funding from state Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs -- approximately 52,000 community water systems and 21,400 not-for-profit non-community water systems (including schools and churches). The assessment covers costs for repairs and replacement of transmission pipes, storage and treatment equipment, and other projects required to protect public health and to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The EPA uses the assessment results to allocate DWSRF funds to the states and tribes as required by SDWA.

Local water utilities must make significant investments to install, upgrade, or replace equipment in order to deliver safe drinking water and protect public health. Every four years, EPA conducts a survey of the anticipated costs of these investments and reports the results to Congress. The results are also used to help determine the amount of funding each state receives for its Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, which funds the types of projects identified in the survey. The [fourth] report to Congress, released in 2009, is based on data collected from utilities in 2007. EPA found that the nation's 53,000 community water systems and 21,400 not-for-profit noncommunity water systems will need to invest an estimated $334.8 billion between 2007 and 2027.

Illuminating opportunities to develop a more integrated approach to municipal water system design, Natural and Engineered Solutions for Drinking Water Supplies: Lessons from the Northeastern United States and Directions for Global Watershed Management explores critical factors in the decision-making processes for municipal water system delivery. Th

Fundamentals of Public Utilities Management provides practical information for constructing a roadmap for successful compliance with new and ever-changing regulatory frameworks, upgrading and maintenance, and general management of utilities operations. It describes current challenges faced by utility managers and offers best practices. In an effort to maximize the usefulness of the material for a broad audience, the text is written in a straightforward, user-friendly, conversational style for students and practicing professionals alike. Features: Presents numerous illustrative examples and case studies throughout Examines environmental compliance and how to best work with continually changing regulations Frames the discussions in a context of energy conservation and ongoing sustainability efforts Fundamentals of Public Utilities Management is designed to provide insight and valuable information to public utility sector managers and prospective managers in water operations (drinking water, wastewater, storm water), and to serve the needs of students, teachers, consulting engineers, and technical personnel in city, state, and federal public sectors.