The California legislature passed SB 222 (Dodd) which will create the first statewide water and sewer rate assistance program in the country.
Statewide low-income assistance programs for energy, food, and healthcare have existed for decades, but nothing similarly universal exists for water and sewer. In the current reality, a family who lacks the ability to pay their water bill faces having their water shutoff. Once this bill is signed and funded, California families, including undocumented families, will be closer to being able to access funds to help pay their water and sewer bills.
Water rates have been rising steeply for years, but affordability challenges will get even worse as more communities make necessary investments in new conservation, recycling, stormwater and other supply projects to prepare for future droughts.
Organizations across the state joined in celebrating this milestone:
“Today, we’re making history by creating a statewide low-income water rate assistance program,” Susana De Anda, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Community Water Center. “For the first time our hardworking families will have access to critical support that will make their water bills affordable. This program brings us one step closer to achieving the Human Right to Water in California.”
“Water and sewer unaffordability has burdened California’s most vulnerable communities for far too long. Passing SB 222 is an exciting step, an important move in the right direction,” says Michael Claiborne, Directing Attorney for Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. “Now, we look forward to working with the legislature and Governor to ensure this critically important program is signed and is funded.”
“Governor Newsom has been a leader in implementing the Human Right to Water in California,” said Jennifer Clary, California Director for Clean Water Action. “SB 222 advances the third pillar of the Human Right to Water — affordability — building on the administration’s progress in providing access to safe and sufficient water supplies for the state’s at-risk households.”
“Affordability is crucial for working class communities and communities of color throughout the state including urban areas like Los Angeles and Southeast LA cities,” said Lauren Ahkiam, Director, Water Justice LA Campaign, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE). “To ensure equitable water access for all, we need investments in sustainable water infrastructure and programs that ensure affordability. Passing SB 222 is an important first step, particularly for undocumented Californians.”
We applaud the legislature for passing SB 222 and now call on Governor Newsom to sign this bill and make water affordability a reality for our families.
