California Takes a Step Backwards on Delivering Human Right to Water
For Immediate Release
September 29, 2022
Contact:
Jennifer Clary, Clean Water Action, (707) 483-6352, jclary@cleanwater.org
Kari Birdseye, NRDC, (415) 350-7562, kbirdseye@nrdc.org
Kelsey Hinton, Community Water Center, 765-729-1674, kelsey.hinton@communitywatercenter.org
Lauren Ahkiam, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, lahkiam@laane.org
Lesly Figueroa, Leadership Counsel for Justice & Accountability, (760) 972-6337, lfigueroa@leadershipcounsel.org
California Takes a Step Backwards on Delivering Human Right to Water
Governor Newsom vetoes SB 222 which would have created a statewide water bill assistance program
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - It’s been a decade since California declared that access to safe and affordable drinking water and basic sanitation is a human right. But, as the cost of water and sewer continues to soar above the rate of inflation and the cost of other utilities — the average family was paying 45% more for water in 2015 than 2007 — Californians struggle more than ever to access these services that are essential to life.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of Senate Bill 222, which would have created the nation’s first statewide water affordability program, represents a major but temporary, step backward. Creation of a program for water and wastewater rate affordability is essential to delivering on the promise that all residents, regardless of race, income, or immigration status, have a right to access safe and affordable water. Help for low-income households struggling to afford water has been intermittent and wildly inadequate, with only one-time assistance for households experiencing crisis as a result of COVID-19.
The Governor’s veto message points to temporary, emergency water bill assistance programs as progress on the water affordability issue. While these important measures were intended to swiftly assist Californians in need during a crisis, a more comprehensive solution is needed to provide true affordability for low-income customers. Many water systems, particularly smaller systems, chose not to participate in the State Water Board’s arrearage programs, excluding their customers from aid. The Low Income Household Assistance Program has struggled to reach a tiny fraction of eligible customers and excludes undocumented residents, again requiring utility enrollment for ratepayers to receive help. SB 222, in contrast, would have created the framework to efficiently deliver approximately $200 million per year (not the billions referenced in the Governor’s veto letter) in relief to all low-income households.
Our confidence that California will — during the next legislative session — take this next step toward equitable access to water and sewer stems from the dedication of the community residents we work alongside, who will not be deterred. We expect to see this program prioritized in the Governor’s January budget, and are committed to working through future budget cycles to secure this essential program for Californians in a time of dire financial need.
“Many of our families are paying twice for water — once for expensive, often unsafe water from the tap and again for bottled water. We can’t continue like this. The Human Right to Water promises affordable water for all Californians, and we need to make good on that promise. Our families can’t wait any longer,” said Susana De Anda, Executive Director of Community Water Center.
“California is the 5th largest economy in the world, yet ranks third in the nation for cost of living index,” said Jennifer Clary, California Director for Clean Water Action. “This is not just an urban or rural problem, it’s a California problem — how do we deliver on our promise of safe and affordable drinking water for all?”
“The majority of low-income households in California pay unaffordable monthly bills for water and sewer, with communities of color disproportionately impacted,” said Michael Claiborne of Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. “The Governor’s veto delays relief for millions of Californians.”
“For too many households in California, rising water and sewer bills are more than they can afford,” said Ed Osann, Director of National Water Efficiency at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “The need for SB 222 has not gone away.”
SB 222, if signed, would have created a Water Rate Assistance Fund within the California State Treasurer’s Office and established the Water Rate Assistance Program at the California State Water Resources Control Board to provide assistance to low-income ratepayers for drinking and wastewater services. The measure enjoyed bipartisan support from legislators across the state.
With programs like CARE for electricity, lifeline programs for telecommunications customers, and CalFresh for groceries already in place to help consumers access critical services, it's only common sense that the Governor and our legislative leaders create this lifeline to vital water and wastewater resources.
“Too many families in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California have yet to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue to struggle to make ends meet,” said Lauren Ahkiam, Director of the Water Justice LA Campaign for Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE). “SB 222 would have created a much-needed lifeline for equitable water access — similar to the common-sense programs that already exist for other basic necessities like electricity and groceries.”
Organizations and communities across the state join in disappointment of this action which is in direct conflict with improving access to the Human Right to Water as promised in California law.
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