Every community needs safe drinking water to protect public health and to sustain the local economy. And every single person needs access to safe water just to survive—for drinking, cooking, bathing, sanitation, and, as the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted, simply keeping our hands and homes clean to prevent disease.  Yet, in many communities, water fails to meet safe drinking water standards, which are often too weak to begin with and must be strengthened. This exposes millions of people to toxic chemicals like lead and the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. Communities of color and lower-income communities disproportionately bear the brunt.  At the same time, in every community, there are people—often many people—who struggle to afford their water and sewer bills and face severe consequences.

Related article: 

• Western Water Rewind: Pandemic lockdown exposes the vulnerability some Californians face keeping up with water bills