Circle of Blue
  • Podcasts
  • Great Lakes
  • Tapped Out
  • Water Debt
  • WASH
  • WaterNews
    • WaterNews
      • The Daily Stream
      • Federal Water Tap
      • Fresh
      • Weekly Water Newsletter
      • HotSpots H2O
      • Convenings
        • Special Reports
          • Drying American West
          • Water, Texas
          • Legionnaires’
          • Fair Bluff
          • After Paradise Burned
          • Water Scarcity in India
          • Michigan’s Groundwater Emergency
          • Groundwater
          • Water Pricing
          • Water Affordability
          • Delhi Waits For Water
  • Features
    •  
      • Water and Financial Risks
      • Stranded Assets
      • Lake Mead
      • Cape Town
      • Flint Water Crisis
      • California Drought
      • Australia
      • Himalayas
      • Hidden Waters, Dragons in the Deep
      • Designing Waters Future
      • Zeropolis
        • Big Cities, Little Water
      • Water and Climate
      • Septic Infrastructure in the U.S.
      • Unearthing Water Risks of The Global Mining Industry
      • Chennai
  • Choke Point
    • The World at a Choke Point
      • Choke Point: Australia
      • Choke Point: Tamil Nadu
      • Choke Point: South Africa
      • Choke Point: China
      • Choke Point: India
      • Choke Point: Australia
      • Choke Point: Tehuacán Valley
      • Choke Point: U.S.
        • Choke Point: Index
          • California Central Valley
          • Great Lakes Algae
          • Ogallala Aquifer
          • Water Data
  • About
    • Fellowship
    • About Circle of Blue
    • Team Members
    • Board of Directors
    • Ethics and Sponsorship
    • Internships
    • Underwriters
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Water: Affordability

Until recent years municipal water service was relatively inexpensive. Not anymore. The cost of replacing aging pipes and upgrading treatment plants is causing water bills to rise several times faster than inflation. At the same time, incomes for the poorest households are stuck in place. Affordability is now a defining issue for water utilities and governments.

U.S. Civil Rights Commission Advisers File Report on Water Inequity in Massachusetts

0 Comments
/
February 3, 2021
A new report approaches water access and affordability as civil rights issues.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/faucettile.jpg?fit=2400%2C1587&ssl=1 1587 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2021-02-03 17:17:092021-02-04 12:16:50U.S. Civil Rights Commission Advisers File Report on Water Inequity in Massachusetts

U.S. Civil Rights Commission Advisers File Report on Water Inequity in Massachusetts

0 Comments
/
February 3, 2021
A new report approaches water access and affordability as civil rights issues.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/faucettile.jpg?fit=2400%2C1587&ssl=1 1587 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2021-02-03 17:17:092021-02-04 12:16:50U.S. Civil Rights Commission Advisers File Report on Water Inequity in Massachusetts

Covid-19 Crisis Could Decimate Water Utility Revenue, Worsen Affordability Problems

0 Comments
/
April 7, 2020
The shutdown due to Covid-19 will have immediate and potentially long-lasting consequences for America’s water utilities and the people they serve.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2015-California-infrastructure-JCGanterIMG_9667-2.jpg?fit=2400%2C1675&ssl=1 1675 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2020-04-07 14:15:202020-06-25 22:23:06Covid-19 Crisis Could Decimate Water Utility Revenue, Worsen Affordability Problems

$1.5 Billion for Water-Bill Assistance Inserted in House Democrats’ Coronavirus Aid Package

0 Comments
/
March 24, 2020
The latest version of the House Democrats’ coronavirus emergency aid package includes $1.5 billion to help Americans pay their water bills during the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2013-CPX-Calif-Central-Valley-MBlack_faucet-e1476973777808.jpg?fit=1500%2C630&ssl=1 630 1500 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2020-03-24 14:05:132020-03-24 14:45:47$1.5 Billion for Water-Bill Assistance Inserted in House Democrats’ Coronavirus Aid Package

Baltimore Council Approves Income-Based Water Bills

1 Comment
/
November 21, 2019
The Baltimore City Council, in the face of rising water and sewer rates and public anger over billing errors, approved a discount program that ties monthly water bills for its poorest residents to their annual household income.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/BaltimoreCityPan2.jpg?fit=2400%2C1349&ssl=1 1349 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-11-21 13:19:382019-11-25 11:25:17Baltimore Council Approves Income-Based Water Bills

Amid Rising Water Rates, Massachusetts Cities Have Inequitable Affordability Policies, Report Finds

August 8, 2019
Policies favor homeowners, according to Northeastern University study.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2015-04-California-water-meter-cover-JGanter-IMG_9928.jpg?fit=2400%2C1800&ssl=1 1800 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-08-08 15:32:572019-11-25 13:20:25Amid Rising Water Rates, Massachusetts Cities Have Inequitable Affordability Policies, Report Finds

Speaking Of Water With Peter Gleick – California Drinking Water Bill

July 29, 2019
Dr. Peter Gleick, President Emeritus of the Pacific Institute, discusses the new clean water bill signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2013-CPX-Calif-Central-Valley-MBlackcad2013111411320000100-1600.jpg?fit=1600%2C1066&ssl=1 1066 1600 Eileen Wray-McCann https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Eileen Wray-McCann2019-07-29 12:52:272019-07-30 19:28:19Speaking Of Water With Peter Gleick – California Drinking Water Bill

Chicago’s New Mayor, In Rare Move, Considers Water Shutoff Ban

0 Comments
/
June 19, 2019
Few cities have complete bans on the practice. But some restrict when water can be turned off and which residents are eligible.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2014-2016-Lake-Michigan-Illinois-Chicago-JCGanter_IMG_6508.jpg?fit=2400%2C1800&ssl=1 1800 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-06-19 14:30:182019-06-20 00:35:28Chicago’s New Mayor, In Rare Move, Considers Water Shutoff Ban

The Water ‘Accessibility Trap’: Q&A with Alexandra Campbell-Ferrari and Luke Wilson

1 Comment
/
April 2, 2019
Authors of a report on local drinking water laws discuss the lack of water shutoff data and the fees that make it harder for struggling households to stay afloat.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Infrastructure2-1.jpg?fit=1600%2C1348&ssl=1 1348 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-04-02 11:36:062019-04-02 13:22:36The Water ‘Accessibility Trap’: Q&A with Alexandra Campbell-Ferrari and Luke Wilson

In Maryland, Vulnerability to Water Shutoffs Depends on Your Address

0 Comments
/
April 1, 2019
New report highlights how local laws can trap households in a cycle of fees that influence water affordability, shutoffs, and timely bill payment.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Michigan-Infrastructure-Valve.jpg?fit=1600%2C1067&ssl=1 1067 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-04-01 16:38:102019-11-25 13:20:34In Maryland, Vulnerability to Water Shutoffs Depends on Your Address

California Water Board Outlines $606M Bill Assistance Program

1 Comment
/
January 8, 2019
The state looks for ways to help poor households with the increasing cost of drinking water.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2013-CPX-Calif-Central-Valley-MBlack_faucet-e1476973777808.jpg?fit=1500%2C630&ssl=1 630 1500 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-01-08 20:55:322019-01-15 19:26:04California Water Board Outlines $606M Bill Assistance Program

Price of Water 2018: Utilities Revise Household Water Rate Formulas

11 Comments
/
May 30, 2018
Small increase in prices but some significant adjustments to water bill calculations.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2017-05-05-California-Los-Angeles-Infra-iPhone-JGanter-IMG_7977-Edit-2500_preview.jpeg?fit=1600%2C564&ssl=1 564 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2018-05-30 06:00:122019-06-18 15:13:29Price of Water 2018: Utilities Revise Household Water Rate Formulas

Water Debt Not on the Menu in Baltimore’s Tax Sale Season

0 Comments
/
May 9, 2018
City and state officials take steps to keep residents from losing homes because of overdue water bills.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/BaltimoreCityHall.jpg?fit=1600%2C956&ssl=1 956 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2018-05-09 06:00:452018-12-19 11:32:36Water Debt Not on the Menu in Baltimore’s Tax Sale Season

California Water Board Delays Affordability Report

February 2, 2018
Citing the need for more deliberation, California regulators delayed publication of a report that will outline their preferred plan to fund and manage a statewide program to help poor residents pay their water bills.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2015-12-6-California-Mecca-Salton-Sea-JCGanter_G3_9677JGanter-2500.jpg?fit=2500%2C1477&ssl=1 1477 2500 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2018-02-02 06:00:012018-12-19 12:05:48California Water Board Delays Affordability Report

When the Water Is Shut Off

January 11, 2018
Cities employ vastly different strategies for late-paying customers.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2014-08-04-Michigan-Detroit-water-JCGanter__G3_5719-Edit-JGanter-2500.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2018-01-11 12:19:262020-07-21 02:17:09When the Water Is Shut Off

Baltimore City Council to Introduce Water Affordability Package in 2018

December 7, 2017
Baltimore is the latest U.S. city to reassess water aid for the poor.
https://i0.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/BaltimoreCityHall.jpg?fit=1600%2C956&ssl=1 956 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2017-12-07 14:17:352017-12-21 14:11:45Baltimore City Council to Introduce Water Affordability Package in 2018
Page 1 of 212

Related

© 2022 Circle of Blue – all rights reserved
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Donate to Circle of Blue
The Stream, September 20: Powerful 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Mexico, Killing...The Stream, September 21: Havana, Cuba Threatened by Tropical Storms, Rising...
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Google Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Other cookies

The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:

Accept settingsHide notification only
Make an impact this #GivingNewsDay
Journalism with this kind of impact is free to consume but costly to produce.
Support fact-based journalism with your tax-deductible donation
For a limited time, NewsMatch will match your gift, dollar for dollar
Support Independent Journalism
You have the power to inform the world's most important decisions
with your tax-deductible donation
 Tweet
 Share
 Copy
 E-mail
 Tweet
 Share
 Copy
 E-mail
 Tweet
 Share
 LinkedIn
 Reddit
 Copy
 E-mail