Most people take the liquid on tap for granted, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency projects it will cost $384 billion over 20 years just to maintain the nation's existing drinking water infrastructure.Replacing pipes, treatment plants and other infrastructure as well as expanding water systems to handle population growth could cost as much as $1 trillion.
Without that investment, industry groups warn of a future with more infrastructure failures that will disrupt service, transportation and commerce.
Michigan residents have seen these troubles firsthand in cities like Detroit, Bay City and Flint, the latter of which is now dealing with increased lead levels in drinking water after switching to the Flint River as a source last year.
Officials say the corrosiveness of river water on pipes is greater than Lake Huron water, which had been used for 50-plus years."
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