Newsletter
Why are we collecting stories about what happens to a family when they cannot afford their water bill?
Water Affordability
Authored by
Newsletter: Spring 2022
The People’s Water Board has been working to ensure everyone has clean, affordable running water since 2008. We are a coalition of three dozen grassroots groups, NGO’s, faith-based, community-based and labor organizations who have come together to fight for the human right to water. Water is held in the public trust for the benefit of all people in Michigan. That means water should not be privatized for profit. It must be available to all people regardless of income; and it must be protected from pollution. But that is not what's been happening.
When the pandemic broke out in 2020 the PWB and allies demanded that Governor Whitmer stop all water shutoffs and turn the water back on where they have already been shut off. The governor and legislators approved a temporary halt in water shutoffs. It was obvious to all that during the pandemic not having water created conditions for deepening this major public health crisis. All shutoffs were stopped throughout the state until March 31, 2021.
When water companies applied for federal Covid relief funds for compensation, they had to provide data on how many residents were unable to pay their water and sewerage bills. For the first time in Michigan, the facts were made public that showed water bills were unaffordable for thousands of families in every corner of the state. This is clearly not a Detroit problem alone. It’s a statewide problem burdening residents of all races, creeds and citizenship status.
Shutoff notices are again being sent out to thousands of residents in Warren, Oak Park, Hazel Park, East Point and other cities. Threats of water shutoff, adding water bills to taxes, late fees, threats of home foreclosure are again causing stress and hardship. Peoples’ Water Board is collecting (anonymous) stories of anyone who has gone through any part of this trauma in the last few years in Oakland and Macomb Counties, to help the public and legislators understand this problem so we can find ways of making water affordable for all regardless of income.
Water is a human right. Let’s find ways of ensuring our residents have clean, running water to meet their basic needs. Tell your story.
Peoples’ Water Board: https://www.peopleswaterboard.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peopleswaterboard/
To schedule an interview: Call or text 313-753-9283