Additional Federal Aid for Urban Water Distribution Systems Should Wait Until Needs are Clearly Established

摘要

Long-standing Federal policy has recognized that supplying and distributing drinking water for municipal and industrial use is the prerogative and responsibility of State and local governments. While no specific Federal programs currently exist to help large cities rehabilitate their water supply and distribution systems, considerable amounts of largely unrestricted Federal moneys, such as General Revenue Sharing, have been available for this purpose. Many Federal, State, and local officials are proposing to modify Federal policy to provide more Federal aid to help large cities rehabilitate and improve their water supply and distribution systems. General Accounting Office looked at water distribution systems in three large cities--Boston, New Orleans, and Washington, DC. This report by GAO reviews the areas of major concern to water distribution system operators--water mains, metering and water inventory management, and financing.