The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a report to Congress highlighting the challenges of water affordability faced by households and utilities across the United States. The report, titled “Water Affordability Needs Assessment,” compiles decades of research from various stakeholders and suggests several measures, including the establishment of a federal water assistance program and increased efforts in education and outreach.
According to the EPA, between 12.1 million and 19.2 million U.S. households struggle with access to affordable water services, with unaffordable bills amounting to between $5.1 billion and $8.8 billion nationally.
Bruno Pigott, EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water, emphasized the importance of making clean and safe water affordable for everyone: “Accessing clean and safe water is part of everyday life, and it should be affordable for everyone across the country.” He highlighted that nearly half of the $50 billion allocated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for water projects will be provided as grants.
The report calls for large-scale changes in funding mechanisms for water utilities, rate-setting processes, and assistance programs to support all ratepayers. Continued investment in aging infrastructure is also deemed necessary.
Senator Ben Cardin from Maryland commented on the moral imperative of addressing water affordability: “This report is a long-awaited first step towards standing up an assistance program at EPA for low-income consumers that allows for utilities to make repairs and upgrades without overburdening their ratepayers.”
Representative Blunt Rochester echoed these sentiments, stating that access to clean water is a fundamental human right: “Today’s report further advances this effort and highlights the nationwide need for assistance to low-income water customers.”
Tony Parrott, President of Water Agency Leaders Alliance (WALA) and CEO of Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, underscored the urgency of establishing a permanent federal program: “This report makes it clear: the time has come for a permanent federal water affordability program.”
The issue of unaffordable water services poses risks such as public health concerns, economic instability, social inequality, and stress due to potential service disconnections. Utilities face challenges in balancing rising operational costs while maintaining infrastructure without imposing excessive financial burdens on consumers.
