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Climate Change Could Double Household Water Costs in some Cities, Study Finds
A Nature Sustainability study says new infrastructure costs could push bills higher, with low-income households facing the steepest burden.
- On Wednesday, a study published in Nature Sustainability projected that Santa Cruz median household water bills could nearly double to $120 a month by 2050 as climate change stresses local water supplies.
- Unlike other California cities that import water, Santa Cruz relies entirely on local rainfall, forcing the municipality to fund costly infrastructure projects like desalination plants that will be passed to consumers through higher rates.
- Some 20% of Santa Cruz households already exceed Environmental Protection Agency affordability standards, a figure that could rise to 35% in hot, dry conditions; low-income residents face the steepest burden with bills potentially reaching $111 monthly.
- Jennifer Skerker, lead author and Stanford researcher, warned that current trends seem unsustainable without state and federal government help, noting households may face difficult trade-offs between paying for water, energy, or groceries.
- Stanford University assistant professor Sarah Fletcher warned that 'water affordability hotspots' could emerge across the country, noting that in areas with similar vulnerability to water stress, bills might increase even more than Santa Cruz's projections.
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Climate change could double household water costs in some cities, study finds
Household water costs could nearly double in some American cities, new research suggests, as climate change further stresses municipal water systems. Researchers at Stanford University and other institutions studied how a hotter, drier climate is poised to spike water bills…
Climate change may double water costs - The Iola Register
Household water costs could nearly double in some American cities, new research suggests, as climate change further stresses municipal water systems. Researchers at Stanford University and other institutions studied how a hotter, drier climate is… The post Climate change may double water costs appeared first on The Iola Register.
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left8Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Left
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources lean Left
73% Left
L 73%
C 18%
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