Published November 30, 2021

U.S. Water-Network Pipes Reflect Aging Infrastructure

According to projections from the EPA, water-pipe replacement rates will peak in 2035 at 16,000 to 20,000 miles of pipes replaced per year—four times the current annual replacement rate of 4,000 to 5,000 miles.


Photo Credit: Unsplash

According to a report by McKinsey and Company, the average U.S. water-network pipe is 45 years old, with some cast-iron pipes more than a century old. The Midwest and Southeast have seen high rates of breakage in recent years. The aging infrastructure has also led to high water-loss rates from leaks in the water distribution network system.

According to projections from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), water-pipe replacement rates will peak in 2035 at 16,000 to 20,000 miles of pipes replaced per year — four times the current annual replacement rate of 4,000 to 5,000 miles. The EPA also estimates that it could take an investment of up to $839 million per year to replace and monitor the 9.7 million to 12.8 million lead service lines that are currently in use in the United States as a response to the updated Lead and Copper Rule.

VMA Valve Forum 2026 banner - April 13-15 The Woodlands Texas annual event
VMA Valve Industry Buyers Guide banner - find U.S. and Canadian valve companies for your project
Baker Hughes Optimize Service banner - proactively manage valve maintenance with VLM Cloud
Valve Careers banner - connect top talent with top positions at valvecareers.vma.org
Baker Hughes Optimize Service ad - track valve maintenance and identify spare parts with VLM Cloud