The pandemic has further exposed the deep rooted inequities in accessing basic resources and essential needs. Black, Indigenous, and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic on all fronts including lack of access to affordable water. This is a statewide crisis that affects Californians across the state, in rural and urban areas. There can be no equitable recovery from the pandemic if we have mass water shutoffs or failing systems.

According to State Water Board survey data:

• California households are drowning in about $1 billion in total household water debt

• 1.6 million households, or roughly 12 percent of Californians, are in water debt

• 155,000 people owe more than $1,000 in water debt

• More than 130 small water systems are in need of assistance

• There are clear racial inequities that impact people of color the hardest

Solutions:

Our lawmakers now have an opportunity to prioritize water affordability legislation, protecting public health and delivering on the human right to water.

We support legislation that helps make water more affordable and prevents water shutoffs, including:

SB 222 - Low-Income Water Affordability Assistance Program

SB 223 - Discontinuation of Residential Water Service

To learn more about solutions we support, read a coalition letter to Congress and a coalition letter to California legislative leaders.