What this document is
‘Buried No Longer: Confronting America’s Water Infrastructure Challenge’ is a report published by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the leading professional body for the drinking-water sector in North America. It draws attention to the condition of the United States’ buried water pipes, much of which was installed generations ago.
The report is most often cited for its central estimate: that renewing and expanding this network would demand investment on the order of a trillion dollars over the following couple of decades. This page summarises the document from general knowledge; for the precise figures and methodology, please consult the AWWA original.
What it covers
The report’s theme is the hidden cost of infrastructure that is literally out of sight. Its broad content includes the following.
- The ageing of buried water mains, many laid in earlier eras and now nearing the end of their lives;
- The scale of investment required to replace and expand pipes over the coming decades;
- How the timing of that spending is likely to fall unevenly across regions and communities;
- The pressure this places on water bills and public budgets;
- The risks — leaks, breaks and service disruption — of deferring renewal.
The overarching message is that the investment need is real, large and unavoidable, and that planning for it early is cheaper than reacting to failures later.
Why it matters
‘Buried No Longer’ became a touchstone in debates about water infrastructure, frequently quoted by journalists, utilities and policymakers to convey the sheer scale of the challenge. Its trillion-dollar framing helped make an invisible problem visible.
Because it has been referenced so widely, many external links to the original PDF now fail. A stable summary such as this preserves the reference for readers arriving from those sources.
Wider relevance
Although the report is about the United States, the underlying issue — long-lived buried assets that quietly age until renewal can no longer be postponed — is a familiar theme for utilities everywhere, including water and energy networks in the UK. It is a useful reference point for anyone thinking about how essential services are funded and maintained over the long term. You can browse more reference summaries in the Selectra Library.
You can find the report via the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
Frequently asked questions
Who is the American Water Works Association?
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is a large, long-established professional and scientific body representing the drinking-water community in North America. It develops standards, research and guidance on the treatment and delivery of safe water.
What is the report about?
It examines the condition of the vast network of buried pipes that carries drinking water across the United States, much of it laid decades ago and now approaching the end of its useful life. The report is best known for estimating that renewing and expanding this infrastructure would require investment on the scale of a trillion dollars over the following couple of decades.
Why is it called ‘Buried No Longer’?
The title captures the report’s central argument: that the problem of ageing water mains, hidden underground and easy to ignore, can no longer be left out of sight and must be confronted as a major national investment challenge.
Where can I read the original?
The report was published by the AWWA. This page links to the AWWA so you can find the primary source.