Water costs across the U.S. are taking up more room in family budgets, a new review of utility data indicates.
The report found that household bills rose 62% in the 500 largest community water systems from 2015 to 2025.
Because those increases outpaced both inflation and income growth, water now takes up a larger share of many households' earnings.
Here's what to know
Environmental advocacy nonprofit Food and Water Watch reviewed billing data from the country's 500 largest community water providers, which together serve 155 million people — nearly half of the U.S. population, according to Stateline.
The organization said water charges climbed faster than overall inflation and at more than double the pace of grocery prices over the same years. It also found bills increased 19% faster than household incomes, leaving more of household earnings going toward water service.
Louisiana, Maryland, New Hampshire, and West Virginia saw some of the sharpest jumps, with water bills rising at about twice the rate of household income growth.
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State-by-state costs were far apart. Idaho households averaged $286 in water bills, while West Virginia households averaged $1,383.
The group also found that privately run water systems charged customers more than public providers.
More background
The analysis projects bills will keep climbing as drought linked to climate change and natural disasters put water supplies at risk.
Infrastructure is another major factor. The analysis points to hundreds of billions of dollars in nationwide water-system needs, while the American Water Works Association puts the 25-year price tag for U.S. drinking water infrastructure at up to $2.4 trillion.
The trade group counts more than 4,300 water utilities across North America.
If those costs are passed entirely on to customers, the American Water Works Association projects water bills could more than double by 2050.
What can be done?
Food and Water Watch's recommendations focus mainly on policy and ownership rather than having households absorb the increases.
The group said state and local governments should support community control of water systems and move away from privatization, which its analysis linked to higher customer charges.
The organization also argues that polluters should shoulder more of the cleanup burden.
Specifically, it called for making polluters pay for contamination and stopping the tech, fossil fuel, and agriculture sectors from shifting water-related costs to residential users.
At the federal level, Food and Water Watch is urging Congress to fund water upgrades so communities can meet federal water standards.
The report said, "Industrial pollution, aging infrastructure, and federal disinvestment are fueling a crisis for the nation's water systems."
Where can I learn more?
For a closer look at how rising costs and supply pressures are affecting communities, these stories cover a Texas fee fight, California water planning, unsafe tap water, and groundwater losses.
• In Texas, residents fought a $4,500 meter demand tied to water service access.
• In California, officials say better water management could blunt mounting supply costs.
• Across the U.S., unsafe drinking water persists despite decades of upgrades and spending.
• In many regions, rapid groundwater depletion is worsening long-term pressure on drinking supplies.
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