AWWA 2026 State of the Water Industry

Explore challenges, pressures, and priorities that are shaping the water sector in the 2026 State of the Water Industry (SOTWI) report.  

Key takeaways from the report include: 

• 57% of rate increases are often or always tied to capital investment needs 
• 51% of utilities report tariffs are having a high-to-considerable impact on their operations 
• Natural hazards rank as the most negatively impactful large-scale phenomenon affecting utilities 
• 62% of respondents say cybersecurity is very or extremely important to their utility 
• More than half of utilities anticipate generative AI technologies will have a positive impact 
• Workforce challenges, including an aging workforce, continue to rank among the sector’s top concerns 

The full SOTWI report explores these findings in greater detail. It shares additional trends related to infrastructure, water supply, regulation, resilience, and long-term planning.