- Risks of aging infrastructure are mounting across the country with replacement costs for water mains at an estimated $452 billion.
- Every dollar invested in water infrastructure generates roughly $2.50 in economic output
Veolia and the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) today released a white paper, “Beyond 2050: The Economic Imperative of Water Infrastructure Investment,” making a powerful case that strategic investment in water systems is a primary engine for economic growth and community resilience. The report serves as a practical guide for municipal, local government and utility leaders to fund, modernize and secure America’s water systems for the long term.
The white paper demonstrates that investing in water infrastructure creates a significant economic return on investment – and that doing nothing creates severe costs for society. The report cites stark data, including the fact that annual costs from deteriorating infrastructure are projected to be seven times higher by 2039 if investment lags. With roughly one-third of the U.S. water workforce eligible to retire in the next decade and 240,000 water main breaks occurring annually, the report frames proactive investment not as an option, but as a necessity.
Investing in water activates the economy and supports job growth
The “Beyond 2050” report highlights the significant economic return on investment that water infrastructure provides, while climbing back from the compounding risks created by decades of deferred maintenance on aging infrastructure. Research highlighted in the report shows how every dollar spent on water restoration initiatives can produce as much as $4 in economic activity, and every $1 billion invested supports approximately 28,500 jobs.
A prime example of such innovation highlighted in the report is the “Smart Sewers” project in South Bend, Indiana. A $7 million investment in advanced sensors and analytics cut sewer overflow volumes by more than a billion gallons annually and is projected to reduce the city’s long-term capital costs by nearly $500 million.
“The challenges facing our water systems are significant, but they are also solvable,” said Karine Rougé, Executive Vice President of Strategic Transformations for Veolia in North America. “This white paper is a blueprint for action. By embracing innovation – from AI-powered analytics to smarter, scalable designs – we can build the resilient and secure water future our communities need and deserve.”
“This report reframes the conversation around water from an operational cost to a strategic economic driver,” said Robert F. Powelson, President and CEO of the National Association of Water Companies. “Investing in water reliability is a direct investment in a community’s economic future, creating jobs and providing the foundation for business growth. ‘Beyond 2050’ is a call to action for policymakers to embrace this economic imperative and lead the way on modernization.”
Cost-effective solutions create benefits for everyone
The white paper provides a clear roadmap for leaders, outlining concrete solutions that exist today. It details how technology, innovative financing and strategic public-private partnerships offer practical, scalable ways to build future-ready water systems.
“Beyond 2050” provides a framework for leaders to make the business case for investment, build resilient systems and ensure a water-smart future for generations to come. To download the full whitepaper, visit https://info.veolianorthamerica.com/beyond-2050-the-new-blueprint-for-water-resilience-veolia#download-white-paper
