Bilal, Ayesha2022-05-312022-05-312022-06-01Bilal A (2022). Understanding Water Affordability in the United States. Biden School J. Pub. Pol, 13, 35-45https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/30919Access and affordability to clean water in households are primarily considered third world issues – which is why there seems to be limited research on water affordability focused on the first world. However, rising water prices over time have become a growing concern even in the developed world, especially for the low-income population. Therefore, this paper takes a deep dive into the literature available on water affordability in the United States to explain what water affordability means; the equity and efficiency concerns around it; how it is measured; the critiques to the standard affordability threshold being used; the possible alternative criteria that can be considered instead; and the policy responses to the current water affordability challenges. The analysis presented indicates the need to understand water affordability from an equity standpoint, though it does not suggest a decrease in prices across the board or making water services free. This research can serve as a baseline for future studies related to water affordability within different regions in the United States and other developed countries.en-USWater affordability, Water pricing, Water access, Water scarcity, Water equity, EPA affordability thresholdArticle