Although its investment needs lag the dominant transportation category, water infrastructure addresses human needs at a foundational level because it plays public health and economic roles. Much of it is old and not likely to be replaced soon, so federal policy must focus on intergovernmental leadership to sustain vital dams, urban water systems, and natural systems. Fixing the federal responsibility requires attention to intergovernmental relations and the conflicting goals of investment and regulation. Regulatory reform is ongoing, and normally not amenable to political initiatives. Federal water policies for both investment and regulatory controls seem to be on a flat trajectory, which is expected because they have evolved over decades. These can be summarized as: maintain federal dams and levees, invest in small grants and leveraging funds for state and local governments, address water justice issues, and operate essential programs like flood insurance. Public health and safety concerns will continue to dominate, more than in other infrastructure sectors. The future of water investments will be to hold the course with occasional shifts to respond to emergencies and new opportunities, such as greater private sector involvement.

尽管其投资需求落后于主要的交通类别，但水利基础设施在基础层面满足了人类的需求，因为它扮演着公共卫生和经济角色。其中大部分都是旧的，不太可能很快被取代，因此联邦政策必须侧重于政府间领导，以维持重要的水坝、城市供水系统和自然系统。确定联邦责任需要关注政府间关系以及投资和监管的冲突目标。监管改革正在进行中，通常不适合政治举措。用于投资和监管控制的联邦水政策似乎处于平坦的轨道上，这是意料之中的，因为它们已经发展了几十年。这些可以概括为：维护联邦水坝和堤坝，为州和地方政府投资小额赠款和杠杆资金，解决水司法问题，并运营洪水保险等基本计划。与其他基础设施部门相比，公共卫生和安全问题将继续占据主导地位。水资源投资的未来将保持不变，偶尔转变以应对紧急情况和新机会，例如更多的私营部门参与。