New Orleans residents have had it with the bills. Not just the rent or the groceries — but the utility costs that keep climbing with no clear end in sight. From Entergy New Orleans to the Sewerage and Water Board (SWBNO), households are paying hundreds of dollars every month just to keep the lights on and the water running. And the worst part? No one seems accountable.
If you’ve looked at your latest bill and thought, “Why is this so high?” — you’re not alone.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s really going on with our utilities in 2025, and why working-class New Orleanians are feeling the squeeze more than ever.
How Much Are People Paying for Electricity in New Orleans?
As of March 2025, the average residential electricity bill for 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in New Orleans is $145.97, according to Entergy New Orleans.
Here’s how that breaks down:
• Customer Charge: $8.07
• Energy Charge: $76.28
• Fuel Adjustment: $36.99
• Other Riders & Fees: $24.63
So even though natural gas prices have dropped by more than 50% in the last year (Entergy Newsroom), the fuel adjustment charge — which reflects past gas pricing volatility — is still heavily impacting bills.
And let’s not forget: Entergy operates as a monopoly in New Orleans. So if you’re unhappy with your bill, there’s not exactly another utility waiting to take your business.
What’s Going on With the Sewerage and Water Board?
Then there’s SWBNO, a local institution that’s become a punchline — but one that takes a serious monthly chunk out of your wallet.
Recent rate increases in 2024 mean the average residential water bill has jumped by about 10%, or roughly $12 more per month, thanks to the rollout of smart meters that give “more accurate” usage readings.
Let’s break down the typical charges for a household with a 5/8” water meter:
• Water Service Charge (fixed): $11.81/month
• Water Usage (first 3,000 gallons): $5.80 per 1,000 gallons
• Sewerage Service Charge: $24.87/month
• Sewerage Volume Charge: Based on 85% of metered water usage
One resident, Stephanie Green-Lewis, spent five years fighting nearly $13,000 in inaccurate charges before finally seeing her bill wiped clean. Her experience, documented publicly on social media and confirmed through city correspondence, shows how chaotic and damaging SWBNO’s billing system can be.
“I have PTSD from SWB,” she wrote. “They just finally wiped clean wrong bills totaling $13,000 after a five-year battle.”
These aren’t isolated frustrations — they’re symptoms of a broken system. For residents like Green-Lewis, it’s not just the money that hurts. It’s the mental toll of dealing with an unaccountable institution that often leaves people with more questions than answers. Ms. Green-Lewis is not alone in her frustration. In 2021, Big Easy Magazine reported a resident was charged over $106,000 for a water bill. High water bills are often cited as one of the main reasons that working-class New Orleanians feel they are being squeezed.
The Impact: Another Blow to the Middle Class
Add Entergy’s rising charges to SWBNO’s inflated fees, and you’re looking at $250–$350/month in utilities for a modest household. That’s before internet, trash pickup, or any other basic costs.
In a city where the average hourly wage is still below the national average — $27.34/hour in metro New Orleans as of the last complete report in May 2023 (BLS.gov) — these utility bills are eating up paychecks and leaving little room for savings, emergencies, or upward mobility.
What Needs to Change
This isn’t just a billing issue — it’s a policy issue. A system issue. A priority issue.
Residents need:
• Stronger regulation of Entergy’s fuel cost pass-throughs
• Transparency and accountability from SWBNO
• Rate structures that protect low- and middle-income households
• Investment in renewable energy and infrastructure that cuts long-term costs
Because right now, working families are paying the price — not just in dollars, but in stress, instability, and the growing sense that New Orleans is becoming a city you have to be rich to survive in.
