Tell Your Representative: Co-Sponsor the WATER Act Now

From Food and Water Watch (http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/):

A shocking Food & Water Watch study has unveiled a massive hidden water affordability crisis in the United States.¹

In a first-of-its-kind survey, we contacted the two largest water systems in each state to do a nationwide assessment of water shutoffs for nonpayment. And we found that an estimated 15 million people had their water shut off in 2016 — that’s 1 in 20 households!

Water is a human right, and the people in this country need policies that address this emergency now.

Take action by urging your Congressperson to co-sponsor the WATER Act today at https://secure.foodandwateraction.org/act/support-water-act!

Widespread water shutoffs are a public health nightmare. They leave folks unable to bathe or flush toilets. They can make homes uninhabitable, forcing families to move or even become homeless. They can disrupt education for kids who are forced to change schools frequently. And in some states, a lack of running water can even be considered child neglect!

Despite the serious consequences, water shutoff data is not easily available, because there’s no systemic process in place for tracking it.

In fact, water utilities aren’t even required to disclose it; while 93% of public utilities were willing to share their shutoff data with us, 91% of private utilities surveyed refused to disclose!² 

Tell Congress to act now by supporting the WATER Act.

As economic inequality in the U.S. worsens and the price of drinking water increases, millions are forced to choose between rent, food, water and other life necessities.

This disastrous situation is a direct result of misguided priorities and federal tax cuts that have led to a critical water infrastructure crisis over the past two decades.

And we know that this is probably the tip of the iceberg, because we only have data from public utilities.

Tell your congressperson to co-sponsor the WATER Act to provide cities with the funding relief needed to ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable water service.

Food & Water Watch champions healthy food and clean water for all, and we think it’s appalling that essential water service has become a luxury in this country.

We deserve policies that set up affordability programs, that mandate transparency from water utilities and that provide funding relief to ensure that everyone in this country has access to water, which is central to all of our lives. Urge Congress to pass the WATER Act today!

1. America’s Secret Water Crisis, Food & Water Watch, Oct 24, 2018.
2. The Truth About Water Shut-Offs In America? You Won’t Find It Through Private Companies., Food & Water Watch, Oct 24, 2018.