Water and Sewage Systems too expensive to Expensiva to Fix?

Water and sewage systems across the nation have begun to break down. Today, an average of one major water line breaks every two minutes somewhere in the US. On average, in the state of Washington alone, there is one pipe breakage every day. Studies indicate that thousands of water and sewer systems may be too old to function properly and have been ignored by politicians ans residents who are used to paying almost nothing for water delivery and sewage removal. Because of this negligence, thousands of pipes rupture, polluting drinking water supplies and damaging streets and homes.

Many residents are unwilling to pay more for their water supply and sewage systems, even though it may be necessary for proper upkeeping of the systems. George Hawkins of the DC Water and Sewer Authority stated "people pay more for cell phones and cable television than for water. You can go a day without a phone or TV. You can't go a day without water." An EPA study estimated that $335 billion would be needed to maintain the nation's tap water systems in the coming decades. A member of the city council retaliated to rate increases, stating "Subway systems need repairs, and so do roads, but you don’t see fares or tolls skyrocketing. Providing inexpensive, reliable water is a fundamental obligation of government."

I think fixing and maintaining water and sewage pipes is critical for the health of humans and the environment, but how to do so is debatable. Increasing rates would more quickly raise the funds needed to repair and maintain the pipe systems. Is it the governments responsibility to provide inexpensive, reliable water, or should it be the citizens responsibility to pay for it?