Infrastructure has been in the news a lot over the last couple of years, and not for positive reasons. Across the U.S., roads, bridges, pipelines, and other public infrastructure are in need of replacement and repair. Water infrastructure — our pipes, mains, valves, pumps, treatment facilities, and reservoirs — is also aging. Many of our water systems were built in the 1900s (or earlier!) and are reaching the end of their designed life.  Part of the problem is that the initial cost for a lot of water infrastructure was paid for in large part by the federal government in the form of direct investment, low-interest loans, or grants. Today, those…