US water bills rise 62% in decade, outpacing inflation and household income

A study of the 500 largest community water systems serving 155 million Americans found drinking water costs increased far faster than inflation or wage growth over the past ten years, driven by aging infrastructure, federal budget constrain

First covered Oct 6, 2026 · 2:00 AM PT · 2 articles · no longer in the live window

US water bills rise 62% in decade, outpacing inflation and household income — Image via insideclimatenews.org

Coverage

36d Guardian Environment US households pay 62% more for water than they did a decade ago, study finds — For-profit water corporations, federal cuts and climate crisis are ‘supercharging water rate hikes’, study co-author says US households are paying 62% more for…

36d Inside Climate News Water Bills Surged More Than Other Costs in US Homes Over 10 Years, a ‘Striking’ New Report Shows — Drinking water costs spiked faster than inflation, grocery prices and median household income, researchers at nonprofit Food & Water Watch outlined in a…

Primary sources

epa.gov Seventh%20Dwinsa September2023 Final (epa.gov)

foodandwaterwatch.org Rpt1 2609 Waterrates Fin3 (foodandwaterwatch.org)

opc.maryland.gov Maryland Office of People's Counsel Home

Appeared in: 2026-10-06 (#1) · 2026-10-07 (#17)

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