Affordable Water is
a Human Right
SB 1255
1 in 3 people in the US struggle to pay their water bills. SB 1255 by Senator Maria Elena Durazo would create a low-income water rate assistance program for all public water systems with over 3,300 connections in California to help make water affordable.
LOW-INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE FOR OTHER UTILITIES.
The water sector has long lacked a universal affordability program for low-income households. Plus, water rates consistently outpace inflation, as demonstrated by families paying 45% more per month for drinking water service in 2015 than in 2007 (State Water Board AB 401 Report). Given these dual-crushing realities on families, we must quickly address this severe gap in our safety social net. A lack of water access is proven to have devastating health impacts, …. Additionally, we already have existing equivalent affordability programs for other utilities, such as gas and electricity, food, and even phone bills. Water is essential in life, not a luxury good. We should extend the proven model of utility affordability programs to water.
ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE SAFE DRINKING WATER IS A RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY ISSUE.
Every Californian should have access to affordable safe drinking water, in fact, it has been California law for the last 10 years. Yet, studies consistently show that systems that serve low-income families and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities are most likely to fail in providing affordable and safe water. We cannot address racial and economic injustice in California without addressing water affordability.
Join the movement!
Sign-up today to receive occasional updates, including ways to take action for affordable water for all.
