Drinking water utilities in the Unit-ed States will need to spend an estimated $277 billion on infrastructure over the next 20 years, according to a survey conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Announced by the agency on June 14, the figure is significantly higher than in the EPA'S two previous estimates. The Safe Drinking Water Act, passed in 1974, mandates that the EPA assess the nations drinking water needs every four years and report the findings to Congress. Released in June, the 2003 Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment reflects data collected by the agency in 2003; earlier reports reflected data collected in 1995 and 1999.
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