Cost of Water
The cost of providing water & wastewater services is climbing in response to aging infrastructure, more advanced treatment to address water quality concerns (e.g. PFAS), algae bloom mitigation, and climatic events. The impact is showcased by residential water bills in the U.S. that have outpaced average annual income growth (5%) and inflation rates (1.9%).
Within this environment, utilities and system operators are being forced to adapt through a range of measures, including improved asset management, alternative billing structures, and outside sources of funding (e.g., SRF, WIFIA, USDA) to bridge the gap.
Bluefield helps address key trends impacting your business…
Utility water rates rise to meet looming financial challenges
Utilities in cities focus on affordability for low-income customers
Utilities are attempting to balance water affordability with operational needs for water & wastewater systems by adopting tiered pricing, seasonal rate structures, and low-income assistance programs. However, these strategies vary widely across regions, reflecting the fragmented nature of the water sector. Of the 50 U.S. water utilities tracked by Bluefield annually over the last decade, 37 utilities currently feature a tiered pricing structure for residential water rates.
Changing customer behaviors threaten traditional utility business model
Industrial & commercial customers are increasingly enabled to circumvent the centralized utility model through alternative, onsite treatment solutions. For every gallon of water conserved, or reused, distribution pipes networks need be resized and wastewater plants are forced treat more concentrated effluents.
Water Industry Insights on Cost of Water
U.S. Municipal Utility Water Rates Index 2024: Drinking Water &...
U.S. Municipal Water & Sewer: Annual Utility Rate Index, 2023
Corporate Subscriptions
Subscribe to receive ongoing, monthly data sets, reports, and insights on key topics related to the cost of water.Subscription Options
U.S. and Canada Municipal Water
Providing data and market insights for decision makers seeking to better understand municipal water rates and the cost of water in the U.S. and Canada.
Europe Municipal Water
Providing data and market insights for decision makers seeking to better understand municipal water rates and the cost of water in Europe.
Data
Data Navigator
Access to Bluefield’s Data platform for more real-time data updates and relevant dashboards.
- Water Rates by City (U.S.)
- Macro Economic Indicators
- Material and Equipment Price Indices
Support & Interaction
Analyst Access
Dedicated team on-call to meet client inquiries, review forecast methodologies, or clarify proprietary data and analysis.
Custom Client Support
Board meeting presentations, onsite client workshops, and customer-focused events.
Corporate Subscriptions
Subscribe to receive ongoing, monthly data sets, reports, and insights on key topics related to the cost of water.Subscription Options
U.S. and Canada Municipal Water
Providing data and market insights for decision makers seeking to better understand municipal water rates and the cost of water in the U.S. and Canada.
Europe Municipal Water
Providing data and market insights for decision makers seeking to better understand municipal water rates and the cost of water in Europe.
Data
Data Navigator
Access to Bluefield’s Data platform for more real-time data updates and relevant dashboards.
- Water Rates by City (U.S.)
- Macro Economic Indicators
- Material and Equipment Price Indices
Support & Interaction
Analyst Access
Dedicated team on-call to meet client inquiries, review forecast methodologies, or clarify proprietary data and analysis.
Custom Client Support
Board meeting presentations, onsite client workshops, and customer-focused events.
