Planning for Affordable Water Access under Climate Change

Monday, April 28^th, 2025

1:30-2:30 PM

In-person: Y2E2 Room 300

Virtual: Zoom

Abstract

Millions of households across the US struggle to pay their water bills, and affordability challenges are growing as water costs rise faster than inflation. Climate change, which impacts water supply and demand, challenges utilities’ ability to provide affordable, reliable water. Jenny’s work develops decision-support tools for water utilities and policymakers on measuring and modeling current and future water affordability challenges. This dissertation work uses Santa Cruz, California, as a case study. First, she uses water billing data to test how payment behaviors may be useful household-level affordability indicators. Second, she models how potential climate change impacts could affect household affordability. Third, she analyzes the scope and magnitude of customer assistance programs necessary to provide citywide reliable, affordable water.