USA Today survey: Water rates continue to rise across the United States

USA Today survey: Water rates continue to rise across the United States According to data from a survey by USA Today based on 100 cities, water prices in the United States have risen sharply in the past decade...

USA Today survey: Water rates continue to rise across the United States According to data from a survey by USA Today based on 100 cities, water prices in the United States have risen sharply over the past decade. While most Americans worry about rising gas and heating bills, it's easy to overlook that the cost of daily water is also rising. According to a USA TODAY survey of water agencies large and small across the country, monthly residential water bills in 29 locations have doubled in the past 12 years. Monthly water bills in Atlanta, San Francisco and Wilmington, Del., have tripled. The increase in taxes and fees is caused by a variety of factors, including the upgrade and maintenance costs of the water conservancy system, the growing costs of electricity, chemicals and raw materials, the federal government's requirements for clean water and energy, and the rising retirement medical costs of water bureau employees. Although residential water use has dropped significantly over the past 30 years under the call of the national water-saving movement, in order to meet the nation's drinking water demand, the U.S. water conservancy system has decided to spend $1 billion on water infrastructure improvements by 2035. The start-up costs of carrying out these projects are then passed on to the consumer. It is expected that water prices nationwide will still rise by 5%-15% in the next few years.