Being surrounded by the great lakes where I live in MI, one could easily take for granted one of the most abundant sources of fresh water available on earth. You would think that with all this water people in the Great Lakes region would be paying less for what which isn't the case.
The USA Today piece as an interactive map showing the areas hit hardest around the country by rising water rates. The Great Lakes region is not immune to these increases. It would be interesting to know what other parts of the country are paying for water especially in the southwest where water would be in less supply.
The cost of upgrading the country's water system will help keep rates elevated for some time. In some cases water is more precious a natural resource than is oil or gas. Getting access to new sources of water will likely be more costly in the past just like oil as the easy finds have already been had.
- USA TODAY's study of residential water rates over the past 12 years for large and small water agencies nationwide found that monthly costs doubled for more in 29 localities. The unique look at costs for a diverse mix of water suppliers representing every state and Washington, D.C. found that a resource long taken for granted will continue to become more costly for millions of Americans. Indeed, rates haven't crested yet because huge costs to upgrade or repair pipes, reservoirs and treatment plants loom nationwide.
- The trend toward higher bills is being driven by:
- The cost of paying off the debt on bonds municipalities issue to fund expensive repairs or upgrades on aging water systems.
- Increases in the cost of electricity, chemicals and fuel used to supply and treat water.
- Compliance with federal government clean-water mandates.
- Rising pension and health care costs for water agency workers.
- Increased security safeguards for water systems since the 9/11 terror attacks.
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