Water Affordability: Who's Going to Pick Up the Check?

This article discusses the issue of whether local utilities will take control and address increasing costs and the resulting affordability concerns that are raised, or shift the responsibility to another party at a higher cost. Although the U.S. water industry faces an unprecedented need for staggering rate increases, a new dialogue of rate straight‐talk is required. The article discusses in detail the following straight‐talk discussion topics: what full‐price costing really means (in order to set realistic expectations with customers and make critical ownership decisions); the need for and the availability of options regarding customer assistance programs; and, the recommended strategies for minimizing cost increases.