… The current inflationary environment and uncertain political climate—particularly at the federal level—are only amplifying these challenges for local utilities. This report describes the country’s water affordability challenge in more depth by focusing on utilities, including where they stand in the current federal moment and new national data on the geographic extent of this challenge. The report also discusses potential water affordability strategies that local utilities—alongside supportive state and federal leaders—can pursue (or are already pursuing) to help alleviate these fiscal pressures.