This report is a synthesis of Elevate and other water advocates’ work to understand the scale and scope of water affordability challenges for residents and municipal drinking water utilities, with a specific focus on water debt and shutoffs.
These case studies highlight examples of utilities, and the communities they serve, that are struggling with the challenges of water affordability.
Moonshot examined possible affordability programs in six Michigan communities of various sizes, locations, and income distributions.
Citizens Energy Group socializes LSL costs so customers pay less than $5 per bill for replacements.
Decatur, Wisconsin approved a 15% water rate hike to pay for LSL replacement.
The City of Berne is receiving $2 million in state money to improve its drinking water distribution system, however, residents water rates are being hiked up to pay the loan back.
Passaic Valley Water Commission removed 4,000 lead service lines at no cost to customers, supported through state funding.
The City of Racine will replace 10,000 lead service lines over the next five years at no direct cost to residents.
Columbus is expanding its lead and galvanized pipe replacement program hoping to eliminate and replace all pipes in 12 years at no cost to residents.
Westmoreland County Water Authority removes private-side replacement costs.
Milwaukee is one of the few cities in the country with a prioritization plan to ensure neighborhoods likely to suffer the most severe impacts from lead poisoning get their pipes replaced first. In consultation with a community-based group, Coalition for Lead Emergency (COLE), and following a public engagement process, Milwaukee included in an ordinance three indicators to prioritize where LSLs will be removed first:
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