Response to AWWA Infrastructure and Affordability Report

Information Release from Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority Regarding the American Water Works Association’s Infrastructure and Affordability Report

April 27, 2026

Key Takeaways from AWWA Infrastructure and Affordability Report

The water sector has entered a “new cost era,” driven by stricter regulatory requirements, climate impacts, cybersecurity, complex source water, and rising construction costs.
U.S. drinking water infrastructure needs are projected at $2.1–$2.4 trillion over the next 25 years, reflecting a long-term shift in costs.
A significant funding gap exists, with annual needs ($90.2 billion) far exceeding current investment efforts ($33.6 billion).
If funded through water rates alone, average household bills could more than double by 2050.
Affordability pressures are increasing, particularly for low-income households, highlighting the importance of continued long-term financial planning.

The Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA) is taking a close look at Beyond the Replacement Era: Balancing Compounding Infrastructure Needs with Household Affordability, the latest Infrastructure and Affordability Report released on March 26, 2026, by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

One of the biggest themes in the report is that the water industry has entered what it calls a “new cost era.” Water utilities are no longer just replacing aging infrastructure. Water utilities are now facing a combination of pressures, including stricter regulatory requirements, planning for climate impacts, increased cybersecurity demands, higher-than-expected construction costs, and treating more complex source water. According to the report, national drinking water infrastructure needs are projected to range from $2.1 to $2.4 trillion over the next 25 years.

The report also highlights a persistent and growing funding gap. Currently, utilities across the country are investing about $33.6 billion each year, but the need is closer to $90.2 billion. If that gap is addressed primarily through water rates, the impact on customers could be significant.

Affordability is another key concern. By 2050, the report estimates that about 21.5% of households could spend more than 2.5% of income on drinking water, while nearly 38% could exceed a 1.5% threshold. Those impacts would be felt most by lower-income households and smaller communities.

The AWWA report underscores the reality that CCMWA has long prepared for. By maintaining a 30-year financial and capital improvements plan and efficiently executing it, the Authority is well poised to address infrastructure needs in an affordable manner while maintaining high levels of service. While CCMWA is well-positioned for the future, it will not be without challenges that will

require change. Battles over water rights will continue for the foreseeable future. Threats to water quality, both natural and manmade, are real and deserve proactive attention to mitigate and control.

Variability in weather patterns, including drought, and uncertainty about future water demands, add to the mix. Increasing regulation of drinking water contaminants, including some that science currently has limited means to identify and quantify, will require advanced treatment technologies, which will increase costs. Facilities will continue to age, requiring an ongoing commitment to responsibly fund depreciation and stay ahead of the failure curve.

The Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority is a wholesale-only drinking water provider that treats and supplies drinking water to municipalities in the region. CCMWA operates as a separate organization from water departments that serve retail customers. CCMWA recognizes there are many challenges ahead and will continue to focus on thoughtful planning, responsible investments, and ensuring our community has access to safe, sustainable, and reliable drinking water.

For more information and to view the full AWWA Infrastructure and Affordability report, click here.