The Water Index
CPI Water and Sewerage Maintenance, U.S. City Average, seasonally adjusted (1982–84 = 100)
The BLS Water and Sewerage Maintenance index hit 746 in January 2026 — up 33% from its 2019 level of 560.
Then
2019
560
Now
2026
746
Change
2019–2026
+33%
↑ Rising
The Water Index: 2015–2026
CPI Water and Sewerage Maintenance, U.S. City Average, seasonally adjusted (1982–84 = 100)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS series CUSR0000SEHG01)keepingupwithinflation.com
Historical Datakeepingupwithinflation.com
| Year | Index | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 484.50 | — |
| 2016 | 503.90 | +4.0% |
| 2017 | 525.10 | +4.2% |
| 2018 | 542.50 | +3.3% |
| 2019 | 560.10 | +3.2% |
| 2020 | 577.40 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 596.20 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | 620.50 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | 646.60 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | 680.50 | +5.2% |
| 2025 | 712.50 | +4.7% |
| 2026 | 745.50 | +4.6% |
Analysis
Water and sewer costs have risen 33% since 2019, outpacing overall inflation (28%) over the same period. The BLS Water and Sewerage Maintenance index — which tracks what urban consumers pay for water supply, sewerage, and related services — climbed from 560 in January 2019 to 746 in January 2026.
Unlike electricity or gas, water prices don't swing with global commodity markets. They're driven by local infrastructure: aging pipes, treatment plant upgrades, EPA compliance requirements, and municipal budget pressures. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. water infrastructure a C- grade, estimating $625 billion in needed investment over 20 years. That cost gets passed to ratepayers.
The steady climb in this index — roughly 4–5% annually — reflects those infrastructure realities. There's no commodity price crash coming to bring water bills down. Pipes that were laid 50–80 years ago need replacement, and federal funding covers only a fraction of the cost. For most households, water and sewer is a small but consistently rising line item that adds up over time.