Now is the time for action on water affordability

A version of this column originally appeared in Michigan Advance.

As we enter the “Lame Duck” period — the window between an election and the end of a legislative session — it’s fitting that our lawmakers should focus on making sure residents can afford life-sustaining access to clean water. We at the Michigan League for Public Policy are proud to support a bill package that would establish a statewide program to aid families in paying essential water and sewer (W/S) bills.

It’s no secret that, for decades, incomes in our state have lagged behind the rising costs of living for all but the wealthiest households. What’s less well-known is that, over the last 40 years, the cost of water service has risen faster than the cost of any other basic need except healthcare. 

Water is not a luxury. It’s vital to our health and daily life activities like drinking, bathing, cooking and cleaning. 

Struggling families often have to sacrifice other survival needs, like medication and healthy food, to pay burdensome water bills. Increasing water costs put the biggest squeeze on the budgets of older adults, young single people and families with children. 

Under Senate Bills 549 through 554 and House Bills 5088 through 5091, all water customers would pay a small monthly surcharge of $2 to assist families up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). (For a family of four, that’s about $62,400.)

The surcharge funds would be used to lower W/S bills to a manageable 2% of income for families at or below 135% FPL and 3% of income for families from 135% to 200% FPL. 

Michigan already has a similar program for energy bill assistance that helps families keep their homes at safe temperatures and supplies energy providers with stable revenue to maintain the entire system.

For the cost of a 20-ounce bottle of pop per month, we can ensure that households also have the water they need and that our water suppliers have the resources to keep delivering reliable, affordable service to all of us.

For too long, Michigan’s national reputation has been shaped by crisis headlines like lead contamination and mass service shutoffs in our communities. Now, the water affordability package presents an opportunity for lawmakers to shine a positive light on our state by making good on their campaign season promises to ease the burden on families.

Water is life. Everyone needs and deserves access to it — regardless of income, race or place.

We encourage you to visit miwaterplan.com to learn more about the difference this legislation can make in your community, and urge your state legislators to end this Lame Duck session on a high note by making the water affordability package a priority.