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Clean Watersheds Needs Survey

Assessing America's Wastewater Infrastructure Needs

EPA’s Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) is an assessment of capital investment needed nationwide for publicly-owned wastewater collection and treatment facilities to meet the water quality goals of the Clean Water Act.

America's capital investment needs are reported periodically to Congress. The information collected by the Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) is used strictly to generate a Report to Congress quantifying the nation’s total wastewater infrastructure needs and not for compliance or regulatory purposes.

About the CWNS

Aerial view of clarifier

2012 CWNS Report and Data

Cover of CWNS Report to Congress

CWNS Reports
and Data

Abstract data charts

2012 Dashboard and
Mapping Tools

Abstract data tunnel

2012 CWNS Quick Facts

Total Needs: $271 billion

Secondary Wastewater Treatment: $52.4 billion
Advanced Wastewater Treatment: $49.6 billion
Conveyance System Repair: $51.2 billion
New Conveyance Systems: $44.5 billion

Combined Sewer Overflow Correction: $48.0 billion
Stormwater Management: $19.2 billion
Recycled Water Distribution: $6.1 billion

Number of POTWs: 14,691

Population Served by POTWs: 234.1 million