The Price of Water

2010-2019 water rates data from 30 major U.S. cities. The interactive graphs show average monthly residential water prices for three levels of consumption and the annual percent change

Circle of Blue’s annual survey of water rates in 30 U.S. cities found the slowest rate of increase since the survey began in 2010. Reporter Brett Walton discusses financial trends that affect water bills for tens of millions of U.S. households.

Price of Water 2019: Even Without Federal Infrastructure Deal, Cities Continue to Invest

June 18, 2019

The rising price of water continues to raise questions about affordability for households at the bottom of the income distribution.

Javier Serafin, a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power utility worker, climbs on a 144-inch outlet, which connects to an ultraviolet treatment plant that will be completed in 2019. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue

Price of Water 2017: Four Percent Increase in 30 Large U.S. Cities

May 18, 2017

Utilities test new rates, look beyond the ratepayer for revenue.

Water Rates Dashboard

This interactive graphic shows eight years of water rates data from 30 major U.S. cities. The graphs above show average monthly residential water prices for three levels of consumption (top) and the annual percent change (bottom). Use the buttons on the left side to show the same data for a single year or city.

Price of Water 2018: Utilities Revise Household Water Rate Formulas

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May 30, 2018

Small increase in prices but some significant adjustments to water bill calculations.

Price of Water 2017: Four Percent Increase in 30 Large U.S. Cities

May 18, 2017

Utilities test new rates, look beyond the ratepayer for revenue.

Price of Water 2016: Up 5 Percent in 30 Major U.S. Cities; 48 Percent Increase Since 2010

May 18, 2016

Infographic: Price of Water in 30 Major U.S. Cities (2010-2015)

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April 24, 2015

Cities raise rates to pay for repairs and to respond to conservation. The…

Infographic: 2015 Price of U.S. Water, Sewer, and Stormwater

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April 24, 2015

Map of the cost of water service in 30 major U.S. cities. The…

Price of Water 2015: Up 6 Percent in 30 Major U.S. Cities; 41 Percent Rise Since 2010

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April 22, 2015

As urban water use declines, utilities change business models. Graphic…

Price of Water 2014: Up 6 Percent in 30 Major U.S. Cities; 33 Percent Rise Since 2010

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May 7, 2014

Water scarcity and successful conservation programs force…

The Price of Water 2013: Up Nearly 7 Percent in Last Year in 30 Major U.S. Cities; 25 Percent Rise Since 2010

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June 5, 2013

Utilities tinker with rate structures designed to stabilize revenue.

The Price of Water 2012: 18 Percent Rise Since 2010, 7 Percent Over Last Year in 30 Major U.S. Cities

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May 10, 2012

Rates have increased in many cities, but local conditions dictate by how much and how the increase is distributed. Chicago prices are up nearly 25 percent, while Los Angeles is down by 9 percent.

The Price of Water 2011: Prices Rise an Average of 9 Percent in Major U.S. Cities

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May 5, 2011

Because of costlier inputs and infrastructure replacement, rate experts predict prices will only go higher.

The Price of Water: A Comparison of Water Rates, Usage in 30 U.S. Cities

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April 26, 2010

"For more than 20 years industry has been moving south looking for cheaper labor, I'm hoping that now they'll start coming back looking for cheaper water."

Brett Walton

A Seattle-based reporter for Circle of Blue. He writes our Federal Water Tap, a weekly breakdown of U.S. policy. Interests: Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Pricing, Infrastructure. Contact Brett Walton