US Water Bills Rose 62 Percent Over Last Decade
Food & Water Watch reports that US drinking water costs outpaced inflation and incomes, with corporate utilities charging significantly more than public systems.
A study by the non-profit Food & Water Watch found that US households paid 62 percent more for drinking water in 2025 than they did ten years earlier. The analysis of the 500 largest community water systems showed that costs outpaced inflation, grocery prices, and median household incomes. Corporate-owned utilities charged an average of $823 annually, while publicly owned systems averaged $494.
New Hampshire saw the highest increase at 177 percent, while California accounted for 52 percent of the 25 most expensive systems. The study identified Puerto Rico and West Virginia as the regions where low-income households face the heaviest financial burdens, with bills in Puerto Rico consuming roughly 20 percent of income for those users.
Food & Water Watch attributed the price hikes to corporate abuses, federal disinvestment, and climate change. The American Water Works Association countered that infrastructure renewal and regulatory requirements drive costs, while the National Association of Water Companies pointed to customer-assistance programs as a means to mitigate expenses for low-income users.
