Although monthly water bills are increasing nationally at a steady pace, many Americans don’t even know where the water comes from that they use everyday. A recent annual rate survey from NUS Consulting Group showed the average cost of water increased by 4.4 percent during the last 12 months, at an average cost of $2.26 per 1,000 gallons. According to the Irrigation Association, if you include the wastewater fees associated with potable water use, the total average cost jumps to $5.54 per 1,000 gallons. Among the 51 water systems in the survey, Huntington W.Va., had the highest prices at $5.05 per 1,000 gallons, while Greenville, Miss., had the lowest water prices at 80 cents per 1,000 gallons.

The NUS survey reported cities with significant rate increases: Denver (35 percent); Memphis, Tenn. (27 percent); Seattle (27 percent); Atlanta (19 percent); El Paso, Texas (14.1 percent); Houston (13 percent); Los Angeles (12 percent); Boston (9 percent) and Detroit (9 percent).

For more information, visit The Irrigation Association online at www.irrigation.org.