Water and Sewer Price and Affordability Trends in the United States, 2017–2023

Abstract

Key TakeawaysBiennial data from 2017 to 2023 show that water and sewer prices increased substantially, from an average combined monthly price of $79.39 in 2017 to $95.02 in 2023 at 6,200 gallons per month for single‐family residential customers.Water rate structures became more regressive during that time, with utilities collecting an increasing share of revenue through fixed charges and less revenue through volumetric charges.Average low‐income affordability in the United States has worsened over the past six years, mainly driven by extreme unaffordability in a small minority of utilities.