2022 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey VIEW SURVEY RESULTS ONLINE AT EPA.GOV/CWNS ABOUT THE CWNS The Clean Watersheds Needs Survey compiles data on existing clean water infrastructure and the need for future investment to address the water quality objectives of the Clean Water Act (CWA) over the next 20 years. As directed by Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collected needs and technical data for projects eligible for Clean Water State Revolving Fund loans. These data show a nationwide picture of clean water infrastructure across four categories: wastewater, stormwater, decentralized wastewater treatment, and nonpoint source control. All U.S. states and territories participated in this voluntary survey, marking the first time in the survey's history that it has achieved 100 percent participation. NATIONAL AND STATE NEEDS The total nationwide reported needs are $630.1 billion as of January 1, 2022. Figure 1 displays the geographic distribution of the total reported needs by state. Six states - New York, California, Florida, Virginia, Louisiana, and Georgia - accounted for 42 percent of the nationwide needs. On a per capita basis, the Northern Mariana Islands ($7,203), West Virginia ($6,182), and New Mexico ($5,799) have the three highest needs. NEEDS Refers to an unfunded project (or portion of a project) and the associated capital cost that addresses a water quality or water-quality-related public health problem existing as of January 1, 2022, or that is expected to occur within the next 20 years. TECHNICAL DATA Refers to non-cost related data. For example: wastewater or stormwater flow; population served; and descriptive data on discharge, effluent, unit processes, and utility management. Range ¦ >$40B ¦ $10-$40B ¦ $2-$10B ¦ <$2B Alaska 0 American Samoa Figure 1. Distribution of total reported needs by state (January 2022 dollars in billions). 1 ------- WASTEWATER $345.7 Billion 55% of Total STORMWATER $1153 Billion 18% of Total NONPOINT SOURCE CONTROL $94.4 Billion 15% of Total DECENTRALIZED $74.7 Billion 12% of Total Slightly over 40% of reported wastewater needs are for installing new or repairing existing pipes and pump stations. Roughly $33.0 billion of the storrriwater total are for nutrient reductions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 55% of the NPS control needs are reported by six states. NATIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT TRENDS 43 states reported decentralized needs, including needs for both individual onsite septic systems and clustered systems. In addition to collecting data on capital investments, the CWNS tracks trends in wastewater treatment for the U.S. population. As of January 2022, there are 17,544 publicly owned treatment works (POTW) serving 270.4 million Americans, or 82 percent of the population. The wastewater industry has seen significant improvements in treatment since 1972: the number of people living in the U.S. served by POTWs with advanced treatment increased from less than 4 percent in 1972 to about 42 percent in 2022. The U.S. population served by systems with less-than-secondary treatment decreased from almost 28 percent to an estimated 1 percent (Figure 2). LOOKING FORWARD Q. O Q. I l!!1111 1940 1950 1962 1968 1972 1978 1982 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2022 Less than Secondary Secondary No Discharge Although the 2022 CWNS represents the most comprehensive report on clean water infrastructure needs in the United States, the reported $630.1 billion likely underestimates the true nationwide need for clean water infrastructure investments for many reasons, including: • The CWNS encompasses a 20-year planning horizon, but most planning documents are designed for 5-10 years. • The last CWNS occurred in 2012, which meant many states had to reestablish connections and conduct significantly more outreach to prepare for the 2022 survey. • The CWNS does not include Tribal wastewater needs, which are documented by a separate survey conducted by the Indian Health Service. Unprecedented funding from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has provided much needed investment in communities' water infrastructure. It is important to note that projects included in the CWNS may already be part of a municipality's funding plans, even if funding has not been committed, and inclusion in the survey should not be interpreted as a request for additional federal funding. Maintaining the data collection cycle and full participation in the survey are crucial to ensuring that investment opportunities are not overlooked, particularly in historically underserved communities and communities that are facing impacts due to climate change.EPA remains committed to continually improving the CWNS and working collaboratively across the clean water sector to achieve a more sustainable future. Visit www.epa.gov/cwns for more information on the CWNS including the full report and 2022 CWNS Data Dashboard, which features interactive maps, charts, and data tables at the national, state, and facility level. Figure 2. Change in the level of wastewater treatment for the U.S population from 1940 to 2022, including a 20-year projection based on the CWNS results. EPA Publication Number: 832F24005 ------- |