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Clean Watersheds Needs Survey

Assessing America's Clean Water Infrastructure Needs

EPA’s Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) is an assessment of existing clean water infrastructure and the need for future investment to address the water quality objectives of the Clean Water Act over the next 20 years.

Announcements:

The CWNS was recently featured in the July 2024 Water Environment and Technology (WET) monthly magazine.
The first Federal Register Notice announcing to the public EPA’s intent to collect data for the next CWNS was posted. The CWNS is a recurring assessment and requires periodic renewal of its Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB. EPA solicited public comments on the draft ICR for 60 days. The public comment period closed on May 10, 2024.

About the CWNS

Learn about the purpose and history of the needs survey. Find definitions of the needs categories.

Learn about the CWNS
2022 CWNS Report

Explore the 2022 Report to Congress, Data Dashboard, and Scope and Methods.

Explore Latest Results
Past CWNS Reports

Access prior Reports to Congress and data for 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012.

Compare Past Surveys

2022 CWNS Results

			Total Reported Needs*	$630.1 billion
			Secondary Wastewater Treatment	$66.6 billion
			Advanced Wastewater Treatment	$83.6 billion
			Conveyance System Repair and New Conveyance Systems	$151.1 billion
			Combined Sewer Overflow Correction	$36.5 billion
			Stormwater Management	$115.3 billion
			Nonpoint Source Control	$94.4 billion
			Water Reuse	$7.7 billion
			Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems	$74.7 billion
			Desalination	$0.2 billion
			Number of Reported POTWs	17,544
			Population Served by POTWs	270.4 million
			*View needs categories definitions