Policies and Financing Solutions to Modernize U.S. Water Infrastructure

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and American Rivers held a briefing about America’s most pressing water infrastructure challenges, and solutions to close the gap between investment needs and reliable water services. Today, U.S. waterways—and our drinking water—are vulnerable to aging infrastructure, stormwater and sewage overflows, and extreme weather. In January 2026, Washington, D.C., saw the consequences of such aging infrastructure when a sewer line collapsed, discharging 200 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River—one of the largest spills in U.S. history. This briefing convened practitioners and policy experts who presented innovative policy and financing solutions—from smart monitoring systems to credit trading—to improve water infrastructure across the country. Panelists also highlighted key existing programs, like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which help states catalyze water innovation and address water affordability.