HARRISBURG -- State officials know it will be difficult to raise the billions of dollars that will be needed to repair Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure, including potholed highways and weight-restricted bridges.

But at least motorists can see the improvements that are made to roads and bridges, so they know how their money is being spent.

The Water Infrastructure Task Force faces an even more daunting task -- generating at least $20 billion to finance construction of new water and sewer lines around the state.

Water and sewer lines are, for the most part, underground, so consumers will face higher water bills and higher sewer bills without being able to see the new pipes.

"Pennsylvania's water-related infrastructure is old, some of it dating back to before World War II," said state Environmental Secretary Kathleen McGinty, chairwoman of the newly appointed, 30-member group. "We have a lot of work to do."

Merely convincing consumers and homeowners that billions must be spent on new water and sewer lines could be difficult. Many people don't think there's a problem until they turn on their water tap and nothing comes out, or until they flush the toilet and the wastewater doesn't disappear, members said.

And not only does the group face a $20 billion task, it doesn't have much time to do it. It has a deadline of Oct. 1 for recommending ways for coming up with the money.

Recommendations for some of the state financing are likely to be contained in Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed state budget for fiscal year 2009-10. Even though he won't deliver that budget speech until February 2009, staff work in preparing it starts as early as October, which is the reason for the short deadline.

Ms. McGinty said it's possible some funds could come from borrowing money through bond issues. But Republican legislators often criticize Mr. Rendell for borrowing, so that could be a big hurdle.

And federal funds for sewer systems have been on the decline, Ms. McGinty said. Pennsylvania used to get $60 million a year for sewer upgrades, but now gets only $27 million a year as President Bush reduces funding, she said.

The estimate of $20 billion for new water and sewer pipes is based on 2004 estimates and is probably too low, Ms. McGinty said.

As its first order of business, the task force will hold hearings in May all over the state, including Cranberry and Greensburg, but exact dates and locations haven't been chosen yet.