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Report: 62% Spike in Water Bills Outpaces Incomes, Inflation
Newser • • business
Key Points:
- Household drinking-water bills in the U.S. have increased by 62% over the past decade, outpacing inflation, income growth, and grocery costs, according to an analysis by Food & Water Watch.
- The study reviewed 2025 billing data from 500 large water systems serving about 155 million people, finding average annual bills of $531, with costs ranging from $133 to over $1,400.
- For-profit utilities charge approximately two-thirds more than public systems and are more frequently among the most expensive providers.
- Low-income households in areas like West Virginia and Puerto Rico may spend 10% to 20% of their income on water bills, highlighting significant affordability challenges.
- Industry groups attribute rising rates to aging infrastructure, new lead regulations, and climate pressures, while Food & Water Watch is monitoring potential impacts from AI data centers on water costs, though no data currently links them.
