The State of Asset Management in Water & Wastewater: 2026 Industry Benchmark

Aging infrastructure is the defining challenge in water and wastewater asset management today, driving 86% of strategic pressure and 85% of investment decisions, according to a new survey of 100 industry professionals. Yet only 3 in 10 utilities are truly satisfied with the value they're getting from their asset management efforts, and AI adoption remains almost nonexistent. See where your organization stands against the industry benchmark.
Aug. 5, 2026

Aging infrastructure isn't just a talking point, it's the single biggest force shaping asset management strategy across the water industry today. In a new survey of 100 water and wastewater professionals, aging assets topped the list of pressures (86%), challenges (80%), and investment drivers (85%) facing utilities right now.

The data paints a clear picture: most organizations are still managing assets reactively (44%), and while compliance and safety performance score high, only 3 in 10 respondents say they're truly satisfied with the value their asset management program delivers. Budget constraints, legacy systems, and workforce skills gaps are holding utilities back from getting more out of the tools they already have.

AI adoption tells a similar story. Just 2% of utilities are using AI at scale, even though many see its potential for energy tracking and supply chain optimization. Skills gaps, security concerns, and lack of leadership buy-in remain the top barriers to moving forward.

Download the full report to see:

  • How your organization's maintenance maturity compares to industry benchmarks
  • Where utilities are prioritizing investment over the next 12 months, and next 5 years
  • What's really holding back AI adoption in the water sector
  • Direct insights from 100+ industry professionals, in their own words