US households are facing a significant increase in drinking water costs, with prices rising 62% over the past decade, according to a new study by Food & Water Watch. This increase has outpaced inflation, grocery prices, and household incomes, highlighting a growing affordability crisis.

Study Overview

The study analyzed 2025 billing data from the 500 largest community water systems in the US, which serve approximately 155 million people, or 45% of the country's population. It compared current rates with data from a similar survey conducted in 2015. Notably, the study does not include wastewater or stormwater charges, which are often billed separately.

In 2025, the average household using 60,000 gallons of water paid $531 for drinking water service. However, costs varied significantly, with annual bills ranging from $133 at the cheapest system to $1,416 at the most expensive.

Key Findings

  • Water prices rose 1.6 times faster than overall inflation between 2015 and 2025.
  • Consumer prices increased 39% during this period, compared to the 62% jump in water bills.
  • Water costs rose more than twice as fast as groceries, which increased 30%, and eggs, which rose 28%.
  • Water bills increased 19% more than the national median household income between 2014 and 2024.

Mary Grant, the water program director at Food & Water Watch and co-author of the study, stated:

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"Water bills are increasing much faster than many households can keep up with and these escalating water costs impact every corner of the country. Low-income households are being hit the hardest."

Regional Disparities

The study highlighted severe increases in specific states:

  • New Hampshire: Water bills jumped 177% over the decade.
  • Oregon: Increased by 114%.
  • West Virginia: Rose by 95%.