Access to safe and affordable drinking and waste water is a human right, and city leaders must regard it as a priority.
Yet cities and utilities are increasingly faced with a major financial dilemma: increase rates and price out ratepayers, or keep rates the same at the expense of aging infrastructure. At the fulcrum of this choice sits those most vulnerable: low-to-moderate income households, disproportionately made up of women and/or people of color.
In partnership with The Water Center at Penn, we are dedicated to helping mayors, utility leaders, and city staff create affordable, efficient, resilient, and equitable water systems.
Community of Practice
The Water Affordability Community of Practice spotlights best practices on challenges and solutions related to water affordability. In 2023 we hosted four informal sessions that provided ample time for questions and discussion among peers. The audience for this event were exclusively local utility and city leaders that are striving to provide access to safe and affordable drinking and waste water. Join our mailing list further below to stay tuned for future opportunities!
View past Water Wednesday resources:
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San Antonio’s Uplift Customer Assistance Program: Lessons in Public Engagement
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 ∙ 12 – 1pm CT
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- Presentation Recording
- Greg Wukasch, External Affairs Manager ∙ San Antonio Water System
- PowerPoint Presentation
- Customer Assistance Implementation Strategy (referenced in presentation)
LIHWAP in Reading, PA: Making the Case for a Sustained Federal Assistance Program
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 ∙ 12 – 1pm CT
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- Presentation Recording
- Bill Murray, Executive Director ∙ Reading Area Water Authority
- Eric Rothstein ∙ Principal ∙ Galardi Rothstein Group
Re-thinking Water Affordability: Alternative Pricing Models
Wednesday, May 3, 2023 ∙ 12 – 1pm CT
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- Tony Searls, Commercial Services Superintendent ∙ Greater Cincinnati Water Works
- Ben Stewart, Managing Consultant, Water ∙ Stantec
Getting Assistance to Those in Need
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 ∙ 12 – 1pm CST
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- Presentation Recording
- Jacqueline Muhammad, Senior Manager, Government & Customer Relations ∙ Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Cleveland Ohio
Water Affordability Amid PFAS Regulations
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 • 12-1pm CT
- Presentation Recording
- Speakers presented about strategies to restructure water rates in advance of the new PFAS regulations. This session included a demonstration of the Business Case for Affordability tool from NRDC.
- Featuring:
- Larry Levine • Natural Resources Defense Council • Presentation Slides
- Tony Searls • Greater Cincinnati Water Works • Presentation Slides
- Howard Neukrug • The Water Center at Penn • Presentation Slides
- Some resources mentioned on the call:
- Direct link to Business Case Tool from NRDC
- Water Affordability Advocacy Toolkit from NRDC
Water Affordability Academy
The Water Affordability Academy connects utility leaders with some of the country’s most respected utility innovators to help them identify, assess, and establish a path forward on affordability in their community. The virtual Academy also provided ongoing support after the event to utilities in implementing their affordability plans.
Fall 2021
Fall 2020
Spring 2021
News & Updates
5 Considerations for Your City’s Data Center Strategy
By Chloe Sieman and Katya Spear, Mayors Innovation Project As municipalities across the country are courted by tech giants promising innovation and investment, a growing body of data suggests the long-term reality may not match …
April 20, 2026
Advancing Water Affordability: Lessons from Local Innovation and Statewide Action
By: Emma Denison, Communications and Student Engagement Manager • The Water Center at Penn The Water Center at Penn, together with our partners the Mayors Innovation Project, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), and the …
September 25, 2025
A Mayor’s Perspective on Water Affordability
By: Katya Spear, Managing Director • Mayors Innovation Project This Summer, the Mayors Innovation Project and the Water Center at Penn hosted a webinar featuring Mayor Danene Sorace of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who offered a unique …
September 25, 2025
Winter 2025 Innovation Showcase
By Quincy Midthun and Katya Spear, Mayors Innovation Project At the Mayors Innovation Project, our commitment to peer learning means offering avenues to share and replicate good ideas. The MIP Innovation Showcase is a lightning …
March 19, 2025- More Water posts
Technical Assistance for Members
Member cities can request up to three short policy memos per year on the topics that you need the most help with. Additional, in-depth technical assistance may be available depending on grant availability. Learn more.
