Summary

Description

The Environmental Protection Agency's CWNS is required by Sections 205(a) and 516(b)(1) of the CWA. The CWNS is a summary of the estimated capital costs for water quality projects and other activities eligible for SRF support as authorized by the 1987 CWA Amendments. The Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) 2004 Report to Congress summarizes the results of EPA's 15th national survey of capital costs to address water quality or water quality related public health problems. The 2004 Report estimates that nationwide capital investment needs for wastewater pollution control is $202.5 billion. This amount includes $134.4 billion for wastewater treatment and collection systems, $54.8 billion for combined sewer overflow corrections, and $9.0 billion for stormwater management. Small communities have documented needs of approximately $17.0 billion. The increase in overall national needs is due to a combination of population growth, more protective water quality standards, and aging infrastructure