Tucson Standard

New research indicates that more American cities, including affluent ones, are seeing an increase in residents living without running water due to unaffordable housing and the cost-of-living crisis. The Phoenix metro area is among those experiencing this rise, with households lacking running water increasing from 5,800 in 2000 to 6,300 in 2021.

The findings, published by researchers from King's College London and the University of Arizona in Nature Cities, highlight how plumbing poverty has worsened across the U.S. following changes in the housing market after the 2008 global crash. Since 2017, it has been "expanding in scope and severity," affecting more U.S. cities.

The study also points out racial disparities: In 12 of the 15 largest cities, people of color are disproportionately affected by a lack of household water. Specifically, they represent the majority of those without access to running water in cities like Los Angeles (82%), Miami (79%), San Francisco (74%), and Houston (71%) as of 2021.

"Our results underscore that the success in reducing plumbing poverty in select U.S. cities over the past 20 years is uneven, with households of color often left behind," said Jason R. Jurjevich, co-author and assistant professor at the University of Arizona's School of Geography, Development and Environment.

Lead researcher Katie Meehan from King's College London noted that various factors contribute to individuals living without running water. Many are employed but earn insufficient wages to cover expenses. Some may have lost water service due to unpaid bills or reside in housing without water access because other costs take precedence. Others live in poorly maintained homes or non-residential buildings like sheds or warehouses or experience homelessness.

"The compound pressures of high housing costs and expenditures mean that more low-income, asset-limited people are living without running water in these expensive cities," Meehan stated. "Far too many people, especially those of color, are now in such extreme poverty they are being pushed into homes that do not meet the basic standard for human dignity and life."

This study is notable for tracking this issue over a 51-year period across the largest U.S. cities. While Census data shows a decrease from 3.5 million households lacking running water in the 1970s to half a million by 2021—equating to one out of every 245 households—the researchers believe this underestimates the true figure due to data limitations.

Since 1990, plumbing poverty has shifted predominantly from rural areas to urban centers; currently, 71% of those affected live in cities.

The authors emphasize insufficient attention on how housing crises affect access to running water and recommend reforms for improved data collection by the U.S. Census Bureau on household water access and service shut-offs. They also call for local utilities and boards to revamp low-income assistance programs amid rising living costs impacting people's ability to afford water services.