Surveying the cost of the Clean Water Act January 25, 2008

How much does it cost to implement the Clean Water Act?  Approximately $202.5 billion, according to a US Environmental Protection Agency report in 2004.  Cost estimates are updated every four years by the agency as a part of the Clean Watersheds Needs Survey Report to Congress (CWNS).  The survey is an assessment of the capital needed to meet the goals of the Clean Water Act.

The EPA collects data about publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities, stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows control facilities (Coos), Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) controls, decentralized wastewater management, and estuary management.  The final CWNS Report to Congress provides valuable information about budgetary needs and is also used measure environmental progress. The EPA is currently collecting information for the 2008 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS).  To participate in the 2008 survey, visit http://www.epa.gov/cwns/cwns2008.htm .  Source: US EPA