WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Marcia Fudge (OH-11) and John Katko (NY-24) led a bipartisan letter signed by 35 of their colleagues to House leadership advocating for water affordability assistance in upcoming COVID-19 emergency relief packages.

“Access to clean drinking water and safe wastewater systems during this pandemic is a concern for communities in every Congressional district and as such should not be a partisan issue,” wrote the Members in their letter.  “We urge [House Leadership] to advance bipartisan policies to ensure every American has access to clean, safe drinking water and wastewater services.”

Water and sewer bills have risen on average more than 30 percent since 2012, triple inflation.   As unemployment surges and workers face lost wages, water bills are becoming increasingly unaffordable for consumers across the country.  Even before the coronavirus pandemic, around one in 10 U.S. households struggled to afford their water bills, according to a 2017 study from Michigan State University.  With more consumers unable to pay their water bills, utilities are seeing significant revenue shortfalls that pressure them to raise rates and threaten their ability to repair water systems as needed. 

“Federal emergency water customer assistance funding would help local utilities maintain critical infrastructure networks without cost-burdening low- or no-income customers who cannot afford to pay their bills,” wrote the Members.

The lawmakers point to the Low-Income Water Customer Assistance Program Act (H.R. 4832), introduced in October 2019 by Reps. Fudge and Katko, as a model for how emergency grant funds could be designed to help low-income families afford their water bills, while making utility companies whole for providing services for those who cannot pay during the pandemic.  Additionally, the Members note the immediate need for other water customer relief provisions, including direct financial assistance, water shut-off moratoriums, and water efficiency assistance.

“The spread of COVID-19 is continuing to have a devastating impact on the financial well-being of municipalities, businesses and millions of Americans nationwide.  We must do all we can to assist households in paying their water bills and support water and wastewater utilities during the ongoing public health emergency,” wrote the Members.

The text of the letter can be found here.

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