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Stantec and Western Washington University?(WWU)?recently concluded a statewide affordability study, assessing the need for low-income assistance programs for water and wastewater customers?in the state of Washington.?The?team surveyed more than 2,000 utilities and worked with WWU¡¯s Center for Business and Economic Research to gather rate and income data?for?the analysis.?

The findings?show a clear need for a statewide program.?Research revealed that at least 90,000 low-income households across the state face a cost burden, some requiring as much as 11?percent?of their income to pay water and wastewater bills.?Other observations found that wastewater bills tend to create more financial strain than water bills,?and customers of smaller utilities often have higher cost burdens.?The study shows that a comprehensive statewide program could greatly reduce these burdens for many families.?

To?conduct?the study,?Ãë²¥ and WWU?led regular meetings with an?advisory?committee comprised of utilities across Washington?state. The committee explored recommendations for data collection, eligibility, outreach, and program implementation, underscoring the need for strategic planning and stakeholder input.

The team?determined?that a?program?is?administratively feasible once data gaps are addressed and program frameworks are further evaluated.

This study follows?in-depth research into?wastewater costs across the Puget Sound.