CA's Drinking Water Supply, Roads, And Power Grid Earn Failing Grades

The newest report analyzing the health of California’s public works paints a troubling portrait: the state earned an overall grade of C-, meaning much of its infrastructure remains just barely functional.

Researchers evaluated 17 infrastructure categories, and while some sectors saw modest improvements, many of the state’s backbone systems were given some of the lowest marks.

The report, 2025 Report Card for California’s Infrastructure, was published by the American Society of Civil Engineers on Dec. 3.

"While California's infrastructure faces significant challenges, this report serves as a clear call to action,” Yaz Emrani, P.E., co-chair of the report card, wrote in a news release. “It highlights both the urgency and the opportunity for us to invest in modernizing and strengthening our systems.

READ MORE: 2 Bay Area Bridges At Risk Of Collapse If Hit By Ship, New Study Shows

Emrani asserted that by prioritizing infrastructure renewal now, California can create safer and more sustainable communities.

However, much of the problem lies in the cost. The Golden State has some of the strictest environmental regulations in the nation, which also increase costs for infrastructure projects exponentially. These regulations can also extend planning and permitting process for systems that need urgent attention, researchers said.

Several of the lowest grades were found in systems Californians rely on every day.

Roads earned a D, reflecting widespread deterioration, heavy congestion and an overwhelming maintenance backlog. The researchers said drivers collectively lose billions each year to vehicle repair costs stemming from poor pavement conditions.

Bridges also scored poorly with a C-, as thousands statewide are now operating past their intended design life, increasing vulnerability during earthquakes and extreme weather.

The report comes after a different March study recommended that 68 California bridges undergo a vulnerability assessment to determine the risk of collapse.

In 1989, a part of the Bay Bridge collapsed during the Loma Prieta earthquake. That incident became a stark symbol of California's aging infrastructure.

California’s stormwater infrastructure received one of the lowest marks, a D, signaling aging, undersized systems that struggle to manage runoff during increasingly volatile rain events.

The report notes that stormwater systems across the state remain chronically underfunded and in need of significant modernization to handle increasing runoff and more frequent extreme weather.

And despite being a national leader in water innovation and recycled water technology, the report detailed that the state is struggling with affordability and the resilience of its drinking water network — especially in rural and disadvantaged communities

Drinking water systems were given a D+, with many communities still dependent on infrastructure built decades ago. That grade came down from a C in 2019.

"This underscores the significant infrastructure pressures facing our state, including droughts and climate resilience and aging pipes and critical equipment," said Sarah Leeper, president, California American Water. "As we face these challenges, our ongoing investments are essential to help ensure that Californians continue to have safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water for generations to come."

The state’s energy sector was also graded a D, with the report citing strained grid capacity, wildfire threats and the immense cost of upgrading aging transmission lines.

Inland waterways — essential for freight movement and water conveyance — likewise earned a D, pointing to deferred maintenance and outdated infrastructure that hampers both economic activity and resilience to climate pressures. Together, the lowest-scoring sectors illustrate the depth of the state’s infrastructure challenges and the scale of investment needed to stabilize them.

To improve the grade, the research team made the following recommendations:

• Promote legislation that provides consistent and reliable long-term funding.
• Encourage collaborative leadership in infrastructure.
• Raise public awareness of the connection between infrastructure condition and quality of life.
• Implement efficient infrastructure delivery through improved policies and regulations.

The American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 160,000 civil engineers worldwide and is the nation's oldest national engineering society. Read the full report here.