Adding to the many other challenges this country faces right now – the pandemic, a struggling economy, public unrest, and general confusion – we need to add something more: water bills. 

The problem is that water bills in the U.S. are on the rise, just as many people find themselves out of work. In fact, in 12 diverse cities, combined costs of water and sewage have increased by an average of 80 percent between 2010 and 2018. 

According to a study by the Guardian newspaper, the result is that two-thirds of residents in some U.S. cities can no longer afford their water bills. To come to this conclusion, the Guardian determined that if a water bill exceeds four percent of a household's total income, it is considered unaffordable.

The reason the water bills are going up is not news. Communities have been grappling with water infrastructure problems for years.  Further, many are being forced to add water structure to address growing populations, deal with climate change issues, and grapple with fuel hikes.

As to the twelve cities where water is now unaffordable for a significant percentage of residents they are the following:

1. New Orleans

2. Cleveland

3. Santa Fe

4. San Diego

5. Austin

6. Philadelphia

7. Seattle

8. Tucson

9. San Jose

10. Indianapolis

11. Fresno

12. Charlotte, North Carolina

"More people are in trouble, and the poorest of the poor are in big trouble," said Roger Colton, a leading utility analyst. He was commissioned by the Guardian to analyze water poverty. "The data shows that we've got an affordability problem in an overwhelming number of cities nationwide that didn't exist a decade ago, or even two or three years ago in some cities."  

You might wonder if the Federal government is stepping up to the plate to address this situation. The answer is no. Again, as reported in the newspaper, "federal aid to public water utilities… has plummeted while maintenance, environmental and health threats, climate shocks, and other expenditures have skyrocketed."

According to some observers, what is happening is that water is becoming a "luxury" in parts of this country. For instance, in Austin, TX, if water bills continue to go up, it is believed that 80 percent of low-income residents will face unaffordable bills by 2030.

You might also be wondering if water bills are no longer affordable for some households, will their water be turned off? The answer is: it's already happening. In Philadelphia, some people have been without water service for years. 

Residents use plastic bags for the toilet and bottled water to wash their hands, reports the newspaper. 

So, what can we do?

It is an exceedingly difficult situation and will require all branches of government – Federal, state, and local – to come up with workable solutions. 

Plus, private industry should be called in to see where savings can be found now and long-term.  

For the rest of us, the way we can help is to reduce water consumption and use water more efficiently. We see this happen every day as more and more facilities install water using devices, including restroom fixtures such as waterless urinals, that reduce consumption dramatically. This will put less pressure on water utility companies, giving them more time - and some much need breathing room  - to build up water infrastructure.   

For more information on how to reduce water consumption, waterless urinals, and to use water more efficiently, contact a Waterless Co Specialist