Multiple US Cities Expected to Increase Water Rates Amid Infrastructure Upgrades

Several municipalities in the U.S. and Europe are planning to raise water rates to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. Riga, Latvia, will increase water and sewage rates by €0.33 per cubic meter to address aging pipelines, aiming to renovate significant portions of its networks by 2030 and reduce emergency repair costs. St. Tammany Parish in Louisiana is proposing higher water and sewer rates following a comprehensive rate study tied to federal infrastructure grants, with some customers facing more than double their current rates. Madison, Wisconsin, has filed for a 6.5% annual water rate increase due to rising plant investments and operating expenses, with a public hearing scheduled for November 11. Wichita, Kansas, is considering two rate increase options, both exceeding previous projections, to compensate for declining water sales and the loss of wholesale customers, with a final decision expected in December. These adjustments reflect a broader trend of utilities balancing infrastructure needs with customer affordability concerns.