A new EPA report to Congress says the nation's drinking water infrastructure will need $384-billion dollars worth of improvements over the next 20 years, including more than $4-billion in Kansas.
William Carr manages the revolving loan fund that finances drinking water projects in Kansas. He says most of the projects on the list are for transmission and distribution—especially the underground pipes that carry water to homes and businesses…
“Every drinking water, public water supply system in Kansas has pipe. You know, it’s underground, it’s never seen,” says Carr.
Carr notes many of the pipes were installed anywhere from 50 to 100 years ago.
“Typically, (it’s) the oldest infrastructure at the state and national level –the report brings this out—is dealing with the pipe in the ground,” says Carr.
Carr says the needs in Kansas actually go beyond the $4.2-billion dollar estimate. That figure only includes projects that would be eligible for funding through the revolving loan program. He says water systems need infrastructure upgrades in both large and small communities all across Kansas.