Investigating how sustained investment in water infrastructure can drive jobs, growth, and resilience

Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure

Underfunded water infrastructure threatens both reliable access to this vital resource and the US economy. In partnership with One Water Econ, we set out to demonstrate how sustained investment can drive jobs, growth, and resilience.

Developed as part of the US Water Alliance’s Value of Water Campaign, the Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure study combines new data with advanced modeling to quantify the benefits of closing the nation’s funding gap. We considered needs across water and wastewater systems and previously underexplored areas like stormwater infrastructure, PFAS mitigation, and lead service line replacement. In addition to national findings, we analyzed the results at the state level. Fact sheets highlight each state’s localized funding needs, economic risks, workforce impacts, and potential returns on investment.

Our findings showed that closing the full funding gap would generate trillions of dollars in economic output, increase gross domestic product, and support more than a million jobs every year. The study also underscores the high cost of inaction, illustrating that even short‑term disruptions to water service would result in substantial economic losses nationwide.

The research helps make visible the critical role water systems play in the national and regional economy. Policymakers, utilities, and advocates can use this study to support their infrastructure funding decisions at federal, state, and local levels. The study helps reframe water infrastructure not as a hidden cost but as a foundational investment in economic competitiveness, resilience, and long‑term prosperity.