WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, December 17, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a report to Congress detailing water affordability across the U.S. among households and utilities.
The report — “Water Affordability Needs Assessment” — summarizes decades of research by utilities, academics, and associations, and includes recommendations, such as potentially establishing a federal water assistance program; increasing education, outreach, and knowledge around solutions to address affordability; and increasing ways to reduce water infrastructure capital and operating costs.
EPA estimates that between 12.1 million and 19.2 million households throughout the U.S. lack access to affordable water services. Nationally, the cost of unaffordable water service bills ranges from $5.1 billion to $8.8 billion.