"While the average lifespan of a wastewater system is 40 to 50 years, many of the plants and pipes across the nation could be twice that old or more."

"Officials and engineers have warned for decades of a growing crisis with the aging systems that handle the billions of gallons of water flowing from toilets, tubs and washing machines across the country every day.

So when news broke of the untreated wastewater spill into the Potomac River in January, it wasn't a surprise to industry experts.

"When you think about the number of miles of wastewater pipes in the ground, and the age of them, and the fact that for many, many years they have been underfunded, it's not surprising that things like this can occur," said Darren Olson, a professional engineer who chairs the Committee on America's Infrastructure for the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The society produces a "report card" of letter grades for each category of the nation's infrastructure every four years. Wastewater consistently earns a "D.""

Dinah Voyles Pulver reports for USA TODAY February 22, 2026. [2]