&gt;It&#x27;s politically untenable for water boards to raise rates, especially since water bills are not progressive (seniors and the poor pay the same rate as rich people).&lt;<p>Based on my experience this is a key factor...<p>Just maintaining an aged system--making repairs to keep the water flowing--sometimes fully stretches the yearly budget...<p>I have a friend, a local businessman, who serves on the board of our local rural water district...he is a good man, serving with other good men and women, and the community is lucky to have such responsible citizens...in ways that they cannot even begin to imagine...<p>The board meets regularly to to review appeals from citizens who cannot afford that month&#x27;s water bill...in almost all cases extensions are granted...<p>This is an infrastructure issue just as much as it is a health issue...don&#x27;t get me wrong, safety is critical, absolutely...often utilities are doing the best they can with what they have to work with...all the while fully aware of what would be required for them to do better...