"Water is still extremely cheap." - your anecdote. The entire point of a scientific study is to determine the truth of statements like these. Comparison is made to global standards and the consumer price index.

And fine, I get you're saying you don't care about the millions of other people in your country who live a different lifestyle and pay ridiculous amounts for water. Fine, they're not your problem. But if you read the article, it's not just about affordability, it's a sign of the decay and decline of the infrastructure that supplies your water. You should care about the nation's water infrastructure, even if you don't care what other people are paying.