If you’ve fallen behind on your water bills, here’s what you must do to keep the tap on
A decade ago, California became the first state to “legislatively recognize the human right to water.” Part of that right is a guarantee to keep water affordable. That’s proving to be a challenge in the Golden State as drought years and utility bills stack up. Since the beginning of 2022, the cost of water in California has shot up 40%, further straining those who’ve struggled through a pandemic and now record inflation to keep up with their service bills. Already, a 2021 survey found state households had amassed $1 billion in unpaid water bills. An estimated 12% of Californians had overdue payments —$500 on average — with the most debt disproportionately accumulated in Black and Latinx neighborhoods.