2026 Utility Rate Survey Results

Utility Rate Survey Cover

Inflation has been a hot topic recently. Although utility rates may not immediately come to mind, they have increased at a rate higher than historical inflation values. It’s true – the average water and wastewater charge for 6,000 gallons from 2002 to 2026 climbed at a higher rate based on the Consumer Price Index for … Read more

Where Small Systems Rank in 2026 Utility Rate Survey

Small Rate Survey Cover

The 2026 AE2S Nexus Utility Rate Survey booklets are currently out for delivery. The 2026 survey marks the 25th anniversary of this effort, and contains charts of water, wastewater, and stormwater rates, as well as a Total Utility Bill that includes water, wastewater, and stormwater. Since each community faces different challenges, it is often useful … Read more

Where Large Systems Rank in 2026 Utility Rate Survey

AE2S 2026 Large System Rate Survey Results

Distribution of the 25th Edition of the AE2S Nexus Annual Utility Rate Survey is underway!  Here is a preliminary look at the results to help you understand how your rates compare to those of your peers.  Results can be useful to systems as budgets are finalized and 2027 rates are set, by providing a regional … Read more

USEPA Invites Public Comments on CWA Implementation Affordability Tool

U.S. EPA Invites Public Comments on CWA Implementation Affordability Tool

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requests public input on its Clean Water Act (CWA) Financial Capability Assessment guidance. The resource aims to help keep water bills affordable as wastewater systems plan for needed infrastructure upgrades, including collection systems, pumps, and treatment plants. USEPA says the public feedback will be utilized to update USEPA’s guidance … Read more

AE2S 2025 Rate Survey: Results for Systems Serving Less than 5,000 & Regional Systems 

2025 cover

The 2025 AE2S Nexus Utility Rate Survey booklet contains charts of water, wastewater, and stormwater rates, as well as a Total Utility Bill that includes water, wastewater, and stormwater. Since each community faces different challenges, it is often useful to look at the combined utility rate when comparing the cost of utility service between communities. … Read more

AE2S 2025 Rate Survey: Results for Systems Serving 5,000 or Greater 

Here is a preliminary look at the 2025 Annual Utility Rate Survey results for systems serving 5,000 customers or more to help you understand how your rates compare to those of your peers. We hope that the results are useful to systems throughout the region as budgets are finalized and 2026 rates are set, by … Read more