State of the Cities 2011
An update on city infrastructure systems

In June 2010, city officials at all 281 cities were asked to complete a survey on city infrastructure systems (primarily streets, stormwater, wastewater and drinking water). One hundred forty-one cities (50%) participated; representing 46% of the incorporated population.

Results show that cities continue to fall behind on the basic infrastructure systems that make our cities – and our economy – tick. Critically needed investments in the transportation and utility systems that underpin our economy, our mobility, and our environmental standards are being deferred.

Full report (pdf)

City infrastructure: Key to economic revitalization

Survey highlights

Cities continue to fall behind on basic infrastructure systems

• Comparing the 2010 capital budget to the 2007 capital budget, 65% of city officials reported a decrease in spending. (AWC Budget Survey, September 2010)
• 54% of cities anticipate decreasing spending on infrastructure systems in order to balance the 2011 budget. (AWC Budget Survey, September 2010)
• Nearly two-thirds of cities indicate that growth is influencing the city’s need to update or expand infrastructure systems.

Survey results

Get more data details and report highlights in State of the Cities PowerPoint. Download and share the information with your council and within your community.

City street funds are among the hardest-hit by the poor economy.

• More than three in five cities report that their street system is not optimal – one in five cities (21%) report generally inadequate conditions. Another two in five (42%) say the streets are only in fair condition.
• One quarter of cities have identified potentially unsafe street conditions that cannot be addressed with existing resources.
• Impacts of the economic recession are evident in declining city street fund allocations – 68% of cities report the biggest challenge to financing city streets is a lack of general fund resources.
• Grant fund opportunities are shrinking – 27% of cities report that lack of state/federal grants and loans is the biggest challenge to financing city streets.
• Not all streets fair the same – city officials report that the condition of local access streets is the worst (31% of cities indicate these streets are generally inadequate, 40% say residential streets are only fair).
• 71% of cities report having arterials that need significant repair or reconstruction (only 8% say they have the resources to make these investments).

Survey results – streets (pdf)

City stories – streets (pdf)

Stormwater systems are being held to higher standards that many cities lack sufficient funds to meet

• In 2007, new state regulations began requiring cities to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II permits. Most cities required to comply with NPDES permit requirements have a storm water utility to help raise local revenue for this effort.
• 18% of NPDES Phase II permit cities report they are not on track to meet permit requirements by the end of the current permit cycle (2011), most often because of funding challenges and lack of staff resources.

Survey results – stormwater (pdf)

City stories – stormwater (pdf)

Many cities have aging wastewater systems

• One in five cities reports that lack of capacity of their wastewater system is a barrier to economic development.
• 79% of cities report a generally aged wastewater system contributes to the city’s need for new construction and upgrades.
• State and federal regulatory requirements are a primary driver of city wastewater system upgrades – 65% of cities cite upgrades are needed due to state and federal regulatory requirements; 46% anticipate that new regulations will drive required changes in next six years.

Survey results – wastewater (pdf)

City stories – wastewater (pdf)

Cities have a backlog of urgently needed repairs to drinking water systems

• Cities indicate that drinking water systems are generally in better condition than other systems. Still, 10% of cities report that their drinking water system is inadequate.
• 82% of cities report that an aging system contributes to the need for new construction and improvements; and inadequate pipes are the cause of needed investment in 73% of cities, which is also often a result of an old system.
• More than half of cities (56%) point to state and federal regulatory requirements as contributing to the need for new construction and improvements in their water systems.

Survey results – drinking water (pdf)

City stories – drinking water (pdf)