A Snapshot of Water and Sewer Affordability in the United States, 2019

Key Takeaways In 2019, US utilities on average charged the equivalent of 10.1 hours’ labor at minimum wage for basic monthly water and sewer service for a four‐person household. Basic water and sewer service cost an average of 12.4% of disposable income for a four‐person household at the 20th percentile income. US water and sewer service on average became less affordable over the past two years, varying by region and utility ownership, driven by increasing water and nonwater prices.