Massachusetts water infrastructure earns D grades from ASCE

(UI) — Massachusetts' drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure received D grades in the American Society of Civil Engineers' inaugural 2026 Report Card, which cites aging pipelines, funding shortfalls and growing resilience challenges as key threats to the systems' long-term reliability.

The report estimates the state will need more than $15 billion in drinking water investments over the next 20 years to replace aging water mains, remove lead service lines and address emerging contaminants such as PFAS.

Wastewater infrastructure also received a D grade, with ASCE pointing to sewer pipes dating back to the 1800s and an estimated $21.7 billion in funding needs identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Stormwater infrastructure earned a D as well, contributing to the state's overall infrastructure grade of D+, below the national average of C.

Richard A. Matson, president of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section, said aging infrastructure continues to outpace investment.

"Massachusetts' D+ grade should serve as a call to action that investment is needed now to ensure the Commonwealth has infrastructure systems that are reliable well into the future," Matson said.

The report found that many of the state's infrastructure assets have exceeded their intended design life and are under increasing strain from extreme weather and coastal conditions. While recent federal and state funding has supported improvements in some sectors, ASCE said sustained investment will be needed to modernize critical water infrastructure and reduce growing maintenance backlogs.

The report recommends establishing long-term funding for water, wastewater and stormwater systems, modernizing permitting and design standards, and expanding the engineering workforce needed to deliver future infrastructure projects.

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