Water bills in L.A. County are rising faster than inflation, UCLA research shows

"UCLA researchers analyzed hundreds of water systems across six counties in Southern California. They found that in Los Angeles County, average household water bills climbed nearly 60% from 2015 to 2025, faster than inflation. Kern County systems had more than 1,500 violations in the last decade. Over the last decade, water bills in Los Angeles County have risen nearly 60% on average, outpacing inflation and adding to financial strain for low-income households, according to a UCLA report."

"The researchers compared average costs for the same amount of drinking water in 2015 and 2025, and said the results show water affordability is an escalating problem in Southern California. "It is concerning that we have this trend of rates outpacing inflation," said Edith de Guzman, a cooperative extension water researcher at UCLA's Luskin Center for Innovation. She and co-authors said several factors have led to higher water costs, including local decisions to upgrade aging water delivery systems and prepare for drought, and compliance with water quality rules."

"In addition to water costs, the researchers looked at quality as they updated their Southern California Water Systems Atlas with details on 663 water systems across six counties that serve about 40% of California's population. They said the fact that hundreds of water utilities serve the region's residents shows just how fragmented water provision is in California, and how that leads to disparities. Suppliers include large city-run agencies, smaller districts, investor-owned utilities and mobile home parks, among others."

Average household water bills in Los Angeles County climbed nearly 60% from 2015 to 2025, outpacing inflation and increasing financial strain on low-income households. A comparison of costs for the same amount of drinking water in 2015 and 2025 shows water affordability is an escalating problem across Southern California. Higher water costs reflect local investments to upgrade aging delivery systems, drought preparation measures, and compliance with water quality regulations. Water quality and costs were evaluated across 663 water systems in six counties serving about 40% of California’s population. The region’s hundreds of separate utilities create fragmentation and disparities in service and pricing. Kern County systems recorded over 1,500 violations in the last decade. Advocates have called for permanent rate assistance programs, but state and federal adoption has not occurred.

Read at Los Angeles Times