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Water: Affordability

Until recent years municipal water service was relatively inexpensive. Not anymore. The cost of replacing aging pipes and upgrading treatment plants is causing water bills to rise several times faster than inflation. At the same time, incomes for the poorest households are stuck in place. Affordability is now a defining issue for water utilities and governments.

U.S. Civil Rights Commission Advisers File Report on Water Inequity in Massachusetts

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February 3, 2021
A new report approaches water access and affordability as civil rights issues.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/faucettile.jpg 1587 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2021-02-03 17:17:092021-02-04 12:16:50U.S. Civil Rights Commission Advisers File Report on Water Inequity in Massachusetts

Covid-19 Crisis Could Decimate Water Utility Revenue, Worsen Affordability Problems

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April 7, 2020
The shutdown due to Covid-19 will have immediate and potentially long-lasting consequences for America’s water utilities and the people they serve.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2015-California-infrastructure-JCGanterIMG_9667-2.jpg 1675 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2020-04-07 14:15:202020-06-25 22:23:06Covid-19 Crisis Could Decimate Water Utility Revenue, Worsen Affordability Problems

$1.5 Billion for Water-Bill Assistance Inserted in House Democrats’ Coronavirus Aid Package

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March 24, 2020
The latest version of the House Democrats’ coronavirus emergency aid package includes $1.5 billion to help Americans pay their water bills during the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2013-CPX-Calif-Central-Valley-MBlack_faucet-e1476973777808.jpg 630 1500 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2020-03-24 14:05:132020-03-24 14:45:47$1.5 Billion for Water-Bill Assistance Inserted in House Democrats’ Coronavirus Aid Package

Baltimore Council Approves Income-Based Water Bills

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November 21, 2019
The Baltimore City Council, in the face of rising water and sewer rates and public anger over billing errors, approved a discount program that ties monthly water bills for its poorest residents to their annual household income.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/BaltimoreCityPan2.jpg 1349 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-11-21 13:19:382019-11-25 11:25:17Baltimore Council Approves Income-Based Water Bills

Amid Rising Water Rates, Massachusetts Cities Have Inequitable Affordability Policies, Report Finds

August 8, 2019
Policies favor homeowners, according to Northeastern University study.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2015-04-California-water-meter-cover-JGanter-IMG_9928.jpg 1800 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-08-08 15:32:572019-11-25 13:20:25Amid Rising Water Rates, Massachusetts Cities Have Inequitable Affordability Policies, Report Finds

Speaking Of Water With Peter Gleick – California Drinking Water Bill

July 29, 2019
Dr. Peter Gleick, President Emeritus of the Pacific Institute, discusses the new clean water bill signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2013-CPX-Calif-Central-Valley-MBlackcad2013111411320000100-1600.jpg 1066 1600 Eileen Wray-McCann https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Eileen Wray-McCann2019-07-29 12:52:272019-07-30 19:28:19Speaking Of Water With Peter Gleick – California Drinking Water Bill

Chicago’s New Mayor, In Rare Move, Considers Water Shutoff Ban

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June 19, 2019
Few cities have complete bans on the practice. But some restrict when water can be turned off and which residents are eligible.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2014-2016-Lake-Michigan-Illinois-Chicago-JCGanter_IMG_6508.jpg 1800 2400 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-06-19 14:30:182019-06-20 00:35:28Chicago’s New Mayor, In Rare Move, Considers Water Shutoff Ban

The Water ‘Accessibility Trap’: Q&A with Alexandra Campbell-Ferrari and Luke Wilson

1 Comment
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April 2, 2019
Authors of a report on local drinking water laws discuss the lack of water shutoff data and the fees that make it harder for struggling households to stay afloat.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Infrastructure2-1.jpg 1348 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-04-02 11:36:062019-04-02 13:22:36The Water ‘Accessibility Trap’: Q&A with Alexandra Campbell-Ferrari and Luke Wilson

In Maryland, Vulnerability to Water Shutoffs Depends on Your Address

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April 1, 2019
New report highlights how local laws can trap households in a cycle of fees that influence water affordability, shutoffs, and timely bill payment.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Michigan-Infrastructure-Valve.jpg 1067 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-04-01 16:38:102019-11-25 13:20:34In Maryland, Vulnerability to Water Shutoffs Depends on Your Address

California Water Board Outlines $606M Bill Assistance Program

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January 8, 2019
The state looks for ways to help poor households with the increasing cost of drinking water.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2013-CPX-Calif-Central-Valley-MBlack_faucet-e1476973777808.jpg 630 1500 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2019-01-08 20:55:322019-01-15 19:26:04California Water Board Outlines $606M Bill Assistance Program

Price of Water 2018: Utilities Revise Household Water Rate Formulas

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May 30, 2018
Small increase in prices but some significant adjustments to water bill calculations.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2017-05-05-California-Los-Angeles-Infra-iPhone-JGanter-IMG_7977-Edit-2500_preview.jpeg 564 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2018-05-30 06:00:122019-06-18 15:13:29Price of Water 2018: Utilities Revise Household Water Rate Formulas

Water Debt Not on the Menu in Baltimore’s Tax Sale Season

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May 9, 2018
City and state officials take steps to keep residents from losing homes because of overdue water bills.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/BaltimoreCityHall.jpg 956 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2018-05-09 06:00:452018-12-19 11:32:36Water Debt Not on the Menu in Baltimore’s Tax Sale Season

California Water Board Delays Affordability Report

February 2, 2018
Citing the need for more deliberation, California regulators delayed publication of a report that will outline their preferred plan to fund and manage a statewide program to help poor residents pay their water bills.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2015-12-6-California-Mecca-Salton-Sea-JCGanter_G3_9677JGanter-2500.jpg 1477 2500 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2018-02-02 06:00:012018-12-19 12:05:48California Water Board Delays Affordability Report

When the Water Is Shut Off

January 11, 2018
Cities employ vastly different strategies for late-paying customers.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2014-08-04-Michigan-Detroit-water-JCGanter__G3_5719-Edit-JGanter-2500.jpg 0 0 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2018-01-11 12:19:262020-07-21 02:17:09When the Water Is Shut Off

Baltimore City Council to Introduce Water Affordability Package in 2018

December 7, 2017
Baltimore is the latest U.S. city to reassess water aid for the poor.
https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/BaltimoreCityHall.jpg 956 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2017-12-07 14:17:352017-12-21 14:11:45Baltimore City Council to Introduce Water Affordability Package in 2018
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