For decades, Detroiters have struggled to pay their water bills, and prior to the pandemic, thousands of households were behind on their water bill and had their water shut off. Families have faced immense harm beyond the financial harm from unaffordable rates, some of which include:

• having a lean put on their homes,
• having their water shut off with high financial and time penalties,
• having their children taken away due to “negligence”,
• and social stigma.

Water shutoffs during COVID
Detroit was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, where over 30,000 residents died in the first 2 years. Hospitals were overrun, and thousands of households were without access to running water and proper sanitation, leading to outbreaks of additional diseases, between the extreme impact on Detroit residents and the realization in communities across the state that they, too, were at risk of having their water shut off due to the vast challenges posed by the pandemic. This created a moment unlike any other, where the health and safety ramifications of water shutoffs could not be ignored, and impacted individuals started sharing their stories, shedding light of the regionally, racially, and economically diverse situations where families were affected. Through efforts in sharing these stories and pushing for both water affordability laws and a moratorium on water shutoffs, many residents saw relief for a couple of years.

Post pandemic
Water shutoffs have resumed, affecting families across the state, particularly in areas already underserved, such as Detroit, Hamtramck, Flint, and others. MCWC is continuing our partnership with the People’s Water Board Coalition of Detroit in efforts to see broad reform in our laws to protect people’s right to clean, affordable, and safe drinking water. Part of the push is a call for a statewide water affordability plan that will ensure that families are not priced out of having running water in their homes.