Operating Expenditures for Water and Wastewater Utilities Approaching $100 Billion Annually

Operating expenditures (OPEX) for water and wastewater utilities continue to climb at a steady clip, according to Bluefield Research’s recent 2018-2027 forecast. Over the last 10 years, utilities’ OPEX has risen 15 percent, reaching the $79 billion mark in 2017. At this current pace, Bluefield Research forecasts the 10-year total will surpass $872 billion from 2018 to 2027, topping $93.8 billion  by 2027. Bluefield Research’s newly released report, U.S. Municipal Utility Operating Expenditure Forecast, 2018-2027,  analyzes operating budgets of more than 70 water and wastewater utilities in all 50 states, over a three-year period. “In a vacuum, these operating expenditures might