Data from the long form of the 2000 US Census
was analyzed to create a profile of the cost of water
and wastewater service in the United States. Using the
Public Use Microdata Sample data set, the author
determined how water and wastewater cost was influenced
by such factors as size of household, age of people,
income, tenure, type of housing unit, and size of
housing unit.
Results indicated that 62% of households paid
directly for water and wastewater service, whereas
18% had the cost included in a rental payment or
maintenance fee. The average US household served by a
public water and wastewater system paid $476 in 1999
for the service, which represented 1.6% of the household's
income. Among the more surprising findings was
that some groups thought to have little direct responsibility
for paying for water and wastewater service did,
in fact, pay bills directly. Almost 50% of low-income
households (i.e., earning less than $20,000 per year)
paid directly for water and wastewater service, as did
49% of one-person households and 47% of mobile
home residents.
Perhaps of most interest to utility managers is the
comprehensive nationwide and state-by-state perspective
on water and wastewater expenses of various
types of households. This information furthers an
understanding of who pays for water and wastewater
service, how much they pay, and what percentage of
income is being spent. Such data should prove valuable
to policymakers and utility managers in evaluating
the level and affordability of water and wastewater
rates. Includes 9 references, tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. 97 - No. 4 |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 640 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 12 |
| Published : | 04/01/2005 |
