White House enlists private sector for $4bn upgrade to water infrastructure

Water summit in Washington to secure business funding for improvements to dams, canals and pipes but will stop short of replacing all domestic lead piping

The White House has turned to the private sector in an attempt to mend America's creaking water infrastructure system, securing $4bn in commitments from businesses and instituting a new plan to help deal with crises such as the Flint lead poisoning disaster and the California drought.

The first White House water summit, to be held on Tuesday, will see more than 150 businesses and other organizations, including GE, commit funding to upgrade "critical infrastructure", including dams, canals and water pipes.