A press release issued in December 2023 by Bloomfield Research highlights findings from its recent report, U.S. Municipal Water & Sewer: Annual Utility Rate Index, indicating that the average U.S. household has seen rates for combined water and sewer services increase by 4.1% annually, or 54.8%, since 2012.[1] The report is the eighth consecutive annual analysis of water and sewer rates across 50 of the nation’s largest cities, serving 15% of the nation’s population, and it revealed that last year’s average monthly water and sewer bills rose to $49.53 and $71.16, respectively, across those cities.

 “Across the board, higher costs for labor, chemicals, and materials have been among the most cited reasons for water utility rate increases,” said Charlie Suse, senior analyst at Bluefield Research[2]

According to the press release, the northeast had the highest combined bills in 2023 with average monthly water and sewer charges of $142.49, and the two cities confronting the largest increases last year were El Paso, Texas and San Jose, California. In El Paso, the increase was to aid the acquisition of future water supplies, and in San Jose, the increase was to finance water purchases and infrastructure projects. 

The report also indicated that more cities are implementing programs to assist low-income households as prices escalate and affordability concerns surge.

[1] “Local Water Challenges Drive U.S. Water Utility Rates up 4%.” Bluefield Research, 13 Dec. 2023, www.bluefieldresearch.com/ns/water-challenges-drive-u-s-water-utility-rates/.

[2] “Local Water Challenges Drive U.S. Water Utility Rates up 4%.” Bluefield Research, 13 Dec. 2023, www.bluefieldresearch.com/ns/water-challenges-drive-u-s-water-utility-rates/.