The Hidden Household Water Affordability Burden: An Examination of Municipal Ordinances and Racial Equity

The provision of affordable, high-quality residential water services is necessary for community health and well-being. Yet, the time-intensive nature of data collection and inconsistent public availability of ordinances online make research on water policy an often overlooked aspect of municipal governance. This study investigates the intersection of municipal water policy, equity, and accessibility by analyzing the hidden household burdens associated with establishing water service, nonpayment penalties, and assistance programs. By systematically analyzing municipal ordinances, this study uses regression analysis to better understand the relationship between these fees, penalties, and affordability programs in reference to community demographics, water system characteristics, and municipal financial indicators. Extant research reveals social and demographic disparities in water rates. This study extends those findings, highlighting inequities in water provision policies beyond routine billing. Communities with higher percentages of minorities have more burdensome water provision policies including higher water service deposit requirements, fewer days to pay before disconnection of water services, and higher reconnection fees after disconnection. Only 22.7% of municipalities detail payment assistance programs in their ordinances, with availability more common in municipalities with greater fiscal capacity, transparency, and a higher percentage of minority populations. While higher poverty rates are associated with delayed shutoff timelines, stricter shutoff policies exist in communities with state revolving fund (SRF) financing, higher home values, and a higher proportion of renters. These patterns reveal systemic inequities in water affordability, emphasizing the importance of oversight and policy reform.