Investing in Water: America’s Trillion-Dollar Opportunity

America is at a pivotal moment regarding its water infrastructure. The Water Environment Federation is a member of the Value of Water Campaign's (VOW) steering committee, and new research from VOW reveals a powerful insight: closing the nation’s $1.8 trillion water infrastructure funding gap by 2044 is more than just a necessity; it’s a transformative economic opportunity. 

The Economic Upside of Water Investment

Investing in water infrastructure goes beyond pipes and treatment plants to unlocking America’s economic potential. Closing the water infrastructure gap could:

• Unlock nearly $4.6 trillion in economic output
• Boost GDP by $1.5 trillion
• Support over 950,000 jobs annually

And if we address operations and maintenance (O&M) funding gaps, the benefits grow even larger:

• $7.3 trillion in economic output
• $3.9 trillion in GDP
• 1.4 million jobs per year

Closing the $1.8 trillion funding gap by 2044 is truly a game-changing opportunity for the nation’s economy.  And by implementing circular water principles on infrastructure projects – moving away from a take-use-dispose model to one that maximizes the value of water resources – we can make these investments even more impactful.

The Cost of Inaction

What happens if we fail to invest? By 2044, the U.S. could face:

• A $1.8 trillion gap in water infrastructure funding
• A $1 trillion gap in O&M funding 

Even a single day without water service could:

• Cost the U.S. economy nearly $120 billion
• Jeopardize 527,000 jobs 

Why Water Investment Matters

Neglecting water infrastructure puts our well-being and innovation at risk. As WEF’s executive director, Ralph Exton, puts it: "This report shows that every dollar invested not only improves infrastructure but also creates good jobs, strengthens communities, and advances innovation in water management, supporting the $47 billion circular water economy and a resilient One Water future.”

Investing water is one of the most strategic and high-impact decisions we can make for the prosperity, health, and future of our nation.

The full research report, fact sheets, and findings segmented by state are now available.

Learn more and join the movement at thevalueofwater.org.