There’s a growing perception that there’s a water affordability crisis in California, but as with most water issues, the reality is more complex. PPIC Water Policy Center founder and senior fellow Ellen Hanak sat down for a conversation with PPIC adjunct fellow and water economist David Mitchell to learn more. … Is there a water affordability issue in the state right now—and if so, what’s causing it? Water rates have been rising faster than inflation for a long time now. In the late 1980s, observers lamented how crazy cheap water service was, because a lot of the costs around procuring and delivering water were not reflected in water bills. That’s changed now, which is partly why water service costs have risen. Also, there are now many more drinking water quality requirements and environmental safeguards associated with producing water, and these requirements contribute to rising costs.