Water Affordability & Customer Assistance

Ensuring water affordability is a growing challenge for utilities and agencies striving to provide safe, reliable service while managing rising costs and infrastructure needs. One Water Econ brings deep expertise in evaluating the economic pressures facing households, designing targeted assistance programs, and shaping affordability policy at local, state, and national levels. Our work spans community-level assessments, utility program design, and national policy development—helping clients understand affordability dynamics, reach vulnerable populations, and implement equitable, financially sustainable solutions

• Community Affordability Assessments

  One Water Econ conducts affordability assessments for utilities and municipalities throughout the country, using socioeconomic, cost-of-living, and water use data to understand the affordability challenges facing low-income households. We identify vulnerable populations and hard-to-reach customers, helping utilities design targeted assistance programs and equity-focused strategies that reflect community needs and regulatory expectations.

• Affordability Strategies & Customer Assistance Programs

  One Water Econ takes a holistic approach to helping utilities address affordability challenges. We assess opportunities to reduce water loss, evaluate the impacts of alternative rate structures and delinquency policies, and design customer assistance programs that effectively reach households most in need. By analyzing participation rates and program performance, we identify actionable strategies and industry best practices to enhance equity, improve outcomes, and support long-term financial sustainability  

   

• National Affordability Policy

  One Water Econ shapes affordability policy at the national and state levels. We’ve developed metrics to assess the affordability of national regulatory requirements, collaborated with leading experts to explore pathways for a national customer assistance program, and analyzed strategies to reach underserved and hard-to-reach populations. Our work also addresses the affordability implications of future funding needs and infrastructure investments. We bring experience working with national water sector organizations to advance equitable, data-driven solutions across the industry.