State Infrastructure Earns C Grade in Report
The American Society of Civil Engineers rated New Hampshire's infrastructure a C in its newly released report card.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Utilities
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The American Society of Civil Engineers gave New Hampshire's infrastructure a C grade, an assessment that places the state's overall systems in the middle range. The grade follows a C-minus in the group's 2017 report card.
Why it matters
The report flags aging bridges and shrinking landfill capacity that affect everyday services for residents across the state. Its findings point to the need for sustained state funding and a larger technical workforce to maintain public systems.
Bridges average 65 years old, and municipal bridges average 56 years, while the state's wastewater infrastructure earned a D-plus. Landfills have capacity for roughly ten more years of in-state trash disposal.
The players
American Society of Civil Engineers
A professional organization of civil engineers that publishes periodic report cards grading U.S. infrastructure systems by state.
The details
New Hampshire's drinking water infrastructure received a C-minus, and solid waste infrastructure received a C, a decline from the previous report. Local engineers evaluated the state's systems, and the federal government sent $50 million in infrastructure aid to New Hampshire airports.
Timeline
2017: The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the state a C-minus in its previous report card.
November 4, 2026: The society released the new infrastructure report card.
Season Trajectory
The C grade updates the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2017 New Hampshire report card, which gave the state a C-minus. The rating reflects a modest gain while leaving bridges and wastewater systems among the weakest areas.
Residents who rely on aging bridges and municipal water and wastewater systems may see continued maintenance needs and service disruptions. Landfill capacity limits could affect future solid waste disposal costs for households and businesses.
The takeaway
Infrastructure grades reflect long-term funding and workforce choices that shape how well public systems serve residents. Tracking future report cards can show whether investments are closing the gaps identified in New Hampshire.
Further reading
Explore more on utilities to see how state infrastructure affects service reliability.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New Hampshire Public Radio.
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