How resilience and rate-setting can improve Wastewater's D+ ASCE grade

ASCE Report Card Chair Darren Olson points to sustainable funding, proper rate setting and utility resilience for improving Wastewater's D+ grade from ASCE's 2025 Report Card.

Bob Crossen

April 4, 2025

The American Society of Civil Engineers released its 2025 Infrastructure Report Card, which graded America's wasstewater infrastructure with a D+, the same score it earned in the 2021 Report Card.

Darren Olson, ASCE Infrastructure Report Card Chair, digs into why wastewater infrastructure in America did not see an improved grade, how rate setting and resilience hold the keys to an improved score in 2029, and what ASCE is recommending in terms of resilient and sustainable funding.

Utility Management

Wastewater earns "D+" on ASCE 2025 Infrastructure Report Card

ASCE's 2025 Report Card emphasized the challenges facing wastewater infrastructure, including underinvestment and increasing costs.

March 25, 2025

Editorial/Topical

A Splash of reality: Breaking down the ASCE 2025 Infrastructure Report Card

On March 25, ASCE released its 2025 Infrastructure Report Card, in which all water sectors received the same grade as their 2021 score.

April 4, 2025

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About the Author

Bob Crossen

Bob Crossen is the editorial director for the Endeavor Business Media Water Group, which publishes WaterWorld, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions. Crossen graduated from Illinois State University in Dec. 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He worked for Campbell Publications, a weekly newspaper company in rural Illinois outside St. Louis for four years as a reporter and regional editor.