It's Time to Revolutionize America's Water Infrastructure

America’s water infrastructure is behind the times. With over 240,000 water main breaks annually, and only 3.8% of wastewater being reused, the country’s water systems scored a D from the American Society of Civil Engineers on its 2013 report card.

1 minute read

September 15, 2013, 5:00 AM PDT

By Anna Bergren Miller @abergrenmiller


What’s the problem? To start, water infrastructure faces obstacles common to all publicly-controlled infrastructure, including officials unwilling to risk failure for innovation. But water management is also unique, Henry Grabar writes, in that public-safety regulations keep private investors from getting involved in new clean-water technologies.

How can we fix it? Historically, most innovation in the field of water management has been borne of shortages and other crises. It’s time to change our approach. After all, Grabar points out, the developing world, too, often relies on Western expertise to solve its water problems.

Friday, September 13, 2013 in The Atlantic Cities

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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