West Orange, NJ – The nation’s water infrastructure is under increasing strain. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, communities across the country will need $1.25 trillion in water and wastewater infrastructure investment over the next 20 years—a challenge that far exceeds the capacity of government funding alone. At the same time, an estimated 30 million Americans rely on drinking water systems that currently violate federal safety standards, underscoring the urgent need for sustained investment to protect public health and reliability.
As policymakers and communities search for solutions to this growing problem, new public opinion research suggests Americans are focused on how their water system successfully delivers service as opposed to who runs the system. A new national poll of 800 registered voters conducted by EMC Research, Inc., and released by Trust in Water, finds that voters overwhelmingly prioritize safe, clean, and reliable water—and the investment required to maintain it—over ownership structure. The findings signal growing public openness to private water and wastewater partnerships as a practical, performance‑driven solution to the nation’s infrastructure challenges.
“As long as systems deliver high-quality water and make the necessary investments, ownership is largely secondary,” said Brendan Kara, Vice President of Strategy, EMC Research. “This poll shows that, if we can move beyond the public versus private debate, customers are ready for the investments needed to provide them high quality water that is safe to drink.”
Nearly 87% of respondents agreed that “it does not matter whether a water or wastewater system is publicly or privately owned, as long as the quality and safety of the water meets high standards.” This sentiment holds across political affiliation, region, race, age, and provider type.
Public opinion also suggests openness to multiple approaches to water and wastewater system improvements, as long as they deliver reliable outcomes. This creates space for pragmatic conversations and solutions.
Support for increased system investment was also high. Over 66% of consumers say their local water and wastewater infrastructure needs more funding, with the highest perceived need occurring among communities of color and younger men. Also, an astounding 96% of respondents agree that investing in the reliability and safety of water and wastewater systems is critical to health and should be a priority.
This indicates a strong need for state and federal policy support as well as conversations on how best to invest, not just whether to invest.