Californians are paying some of the highest water bills in the country

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Set us as preferred If you’ve noticed your water bills are getting a lot more expensive, you’re not alone.In a new nationwide survey of 500 large drinking water utilities, researchers found that average water bills have gone up 1.6 times faster than inflation, and Californians are paying some of the highest bills.The report by Food & Water Watch, a nonprofit advocacy group, shows that four water utilities in California rank among the top 10 most expensive in the United States.The private utility San Jose Water Co.

was No.1, while others included Escondido, Santa Barbara and Marin Municipal Water District.The researchers also found that more than half of the 25 most expensive water systems they looked at are in California.

They include San José (11), San Francisco (14), Sacramento (15) and Oceanside (19), which the researchers said charged bills totaling more than $1,100 last year for typical indoor water usage for a household of three.Los Angeles ranked 32 of 500, with the annual water bill estimated at $952.“California is definitely overrepresented as one of the more expensive states,” said Mary Grant, the group’s water policy director.“Water affordability is a pressing issue for low-income households.”Coastal cities in Southern California and the Bay Area tend to get their water from the aqueducts of the State Water Project or other systems that pump and transport river water long distances, which is expensive.

Santa Barbara also has a desalination plant.The group compared water bills in 2025 to 2015, focusing on a standard amount of indoor water use.It didn’t consider water for landscaping.

Climate & Environment With water rates rising, many are struggling to pay.A Senate bill would establish a permanent program to help low-income customers who are falling behind.Over the last decade, the bills charged by 91 California water utilities increased by 83% on average, the researchers ...