Water Infrastructure and Water Use in the United States

Water infrastructure is critical to the health and economic well-being of the United States. Water infrastructure includes the systems and management practices used to provide drinking water, agricultural irrigation water, wastewater collection and treatment, and safe recreational and commercial fishing waters. This article will provide important background to help users understand the nature and scope of water infrastructure in the United States by offering a quantitative statistical picture of the number and types of infrastructure elements, capital value, annual use, and other relevant quantities. In addition, it will provide an overview of the future needs in maintaining functional water systems.