Household Water Bills Outpace Other Essentials, Report Finds
A new Food and Water Watch report says average household drinking water prices climbed 62 percent between 2015 and 2025, rising faster than groceries, inflation and income. The burden varies sharply by location, with Shreveport, La., seeing a slight decrease while customers of Oregon’s Tualatin Valley Water District faced an increase above 300 percent. The report links many high bills to system upgrades and water-quality compliance, and notes that locally owned utilities often had the lowest costs, while California cities accounted for many of the largest bills.
A Food and Water Watch review of the 500 largest U.S. water providers found typical residential water charges increased by 62% from 2015 to 2025. Results varied widely: Shreveport, La., saw a 2% decline, while Oregon’s Tualatin Valley Water District customers experienced a rise exceeding 300%.
Local-government-owned utilities generally charged the least. Phoenix kept annual bills near $151 by pricing ordinary indoor use lower and charging more for heavy outdoor use. Private systems made up one-fifth of providers but half of the largest bills; California cities, especially San Jose, dominated high-cost rankings. West Virginia’s private systems also ranked costly.
Rising water costs could squeeze low-income households most, especially where bills consume a larger share of income. Communities facing system upgrades or water-quality compliance may see affordability pressures, while rate design and local ownership may shape how unevenly those costs land. Residents in high-cost areas might face difficult tradeoffs among basic needs, and local officials may face greater scrutiny over utility decisions. The report’s findings could amplify debates about privatization, billing practices, and aid for vulnerable ratepayers.