Here’s what to do in Pennsylvania to continue to keep our water safe

Newly released grades from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s 18 major infrastructure categories, paint a grim and stagnant picture for water and wastewater systems across the United States.

Drinking water infrastructure received a grade of C-, while wastewater infrastructure earned a D+. These grades haven’t changed or improved in the four years since the ASCE 2021 Report Card.

The poor marks and lack of progress speak to the urgent need for committed investment, repair and modernization in our water systems, nationwide and here in Pennsylvania. More than $1.2 trillion in water and wastewater infrastructure investment will be required over the next two decades, and without this investment, access to safe, clean and reliable water for all Americans is compromised.

In Pennsylvania, we don’t need a report card to tell us that the water and wastewater infrastructure is in dire need of repair. According to the EPA’s 2023 Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, the Keystone State will require $24.3 billion to address drinking water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years. That doesn’t even account for wastewater needs.

At Pennsylvania American Water, we understand that our customers count on us to provide safe, clean and reliable water service. By committing to continually upgrading our infrastructure, we plan to keep it that way. This includes making improvements to treatment plants, wells, tanks, pump stations, pipes, valves, fire hydrants and metering equipment to sustain current operations while implementing resiliency measures for the future.

None of this can get done without public-private cooperation and partnership. Pennsylvania American Water, which serves 2.4 million customers across the state, invested more than $675 million in statewide system upgrades in 2024. Over the next several years, those investments are expected to continue in the range of $525-625 million annually. From source to tap and back to the source again, our team of professionals work hard to maintain and improve our facilities to keep them operating efficiently, meeting regulatory standards and delivering high-quality water and wastewater service.

You can see examples of the progress we’re making right here in Ellwood City. Last year, we finished a $775,000 raw water pump replacement project at our Ellwood Water Treatment Plant. We’re finishing the final phase of a nearly $10 million project in Jackson Township to upgrade a booster pump station, elevated tank, and waterlines. In addition, the $3.7 million Mecklem Booster Pump Station replacement project will also begin service soon. These infrastructure investment projects enable us to provide safe, reliable water service to our valued customers.

Investing in critical infrastructure also creates jobs and drives economic growth across Pennsylvania. Economic impact studies show that for every $1 million invested in water infrastructure, upward of 15 jobs are generated throughout local economies.

No one wants a failing grade, especially when it comes to drinking water. Keeping the focus on funding critical infrastructure upgrades will help ensure that communities across Pennsylvania have access to safe, clean, and reliable water – and safeguard our most precious resource for generations to come.

Justin Ladner is the president of Pennsylvania American Water.