The price of residential water service in 30 major U.S. cities rose faster than the cost of nearly every other household staple last year, according to Circle of Blue’s annual water pricing survey. However, the six percent increase in the average monthly cost of water for a family of four using 100 gallons per person per day is the smallest year-to-year change in the six-year history of the survey.
The median increase was reported to be 4.5 percent. In comparison, the Consumer Price Index rose just 1.8 percent in the 12 months ending in March, not including the volatile food and energy sectors. Including food and energy, prices fell by 0.1 percent.
For the first time, Circle of Blue’s survey included sewer prices and fees for controlling stormwater runoff in addition to water cost. Together, the three charges provided a more complete picture of the rising cost of water for families in the country’s largest cities. The report also discussed the impacts of conservation success, the pushback on stormwater fees and new “recipes” for revenue at the utilities surveyed.
Circle of Blue is an international network of leading journalists and scientists reporting on water issues.
More about the Circle of Blue water pricing survey is online at www.circleofblue/waternews.