Wednesday Top of the Scroll: California residents owe $1 billion in water debt. Shutoffs coming?
In a time of record-breaking unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Californians owe an estimated $1 billion in unpaid water utility bills. With reduced revenue, hundreds of water utilities are at high risk of financial emergency. The State Water Board estimates at least 1.6 million households have an average of roughly $500 in water debt — a crisis that could lead to a wave of families facing water shutoffs, liens on their homes or other collection methods. … Data show Black and Latino households are disproportionately affected.
Related articles:
- San Francisco Chronicle: Water crisis looms as California households struggle to pay bills, suppliers lose revenue
- The Guardian: California households owe $1bn in water bills as affordability crisis worsens
- State Water Resources Control Board news release: Survey results show COVID-19 financial impact on water systems, customers