A new study shows US households are paying 62% more for drinking water than they did in 2015, outpacing inflation, grocery prices and household incomes.
The study, conducted by Food & Water Watch, analyzed 2025 billing data from the 500 largest community water systems in the US, which serve about 155 million people. The analysis compared current rates with data from a similar survey conducted in 2015. The study does not include wastewater or storm water charges, which are often billed separately from drinking water service.
In 2025, the average household using 60,000 gallons of water paid $531 for drinking water service. However, costs varied widely, with annual bills ranging from $133 at the cheapest system to $1,416 at the most expensive. Water prices rose 1.6 times faster than overall inflation between 2015 and 2025.
Why it matters
Low-income households face unaffordable water costs, with bills consuming up to 20% of their income in Puerto Rico.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Federal and state responses to rising water costs and corporate control of water systems will shape future affordability.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.