Dingell, Tlaib Introduce Legislation to Ensure Safe, Affordable Water for All

Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) todayintroduced the Half-Century Update for Water Access and Affordability Act (H2O UP Act) to establish the first-ever permanent, federal low-income water affordability program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"Safe, affordable water is a basic human right, but we know too many families struggle to cover the cost of their water bills. Americans across the country are living without running water and face the constant threat and fear of shutoffs," said Congresswoman Dingell. "This legislation provides much-needed support to help meet those basic needs, address the widespread water affordability crisis, and ensure no family has to go without clean water in their home."

"We have a federal program for gas and electricity, but no permanent program for water. Our families can't live without access to water. Millions of our neighbors across the country have their water shut off simply because they cannot afford their rising bills," said Congresswoman Tlaib. "Safe, accessible, and affordable drinking water is essential to public health, and many water utilities cannot afford to maintain their infrastructure. I am proud to introduce this legislation to create a permanent water affordability program at the EPA."

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program that Reps. Dingell and Tlaib helped establish in 2021 kept people's water flowing during the pandemic and saved countless lives, but that money has now run out. The federal government must rapidly increase water assistance to households and public water utilities so that every low-income household has the safe, reliable water they need to live and thrive. Thousands of Michigan families depend on water assistance, and thousands more are still waiting for help, as available support falls well short of the need.

The H2O UP Act amends Part E of the Safe Drinking Water Act to establish the Low-Income Drinking Water Assistance Program within the EPA. The Program will include drinking water access financial assistance to low-income households, technical assistance for community water systems, and data collection and reporting. $20 billion is appropriated annually for the next 10 years to carry out the Program. The Program will promote universal access to drinking water for all low-income households.

This legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Cori Bush (MO-01), André Carson (IN-07), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Summer Lee (PA-12), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07).

The H2O UP Act is endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

This legislation is also endorsed by more than 40 national and regional organizations, including PolicyLink, Earthjustice, Natural Resources Defense Council, Mothering Justice, Clean Water Action, National Wildlife Federation, Freshwater Future, Ecology Center, Green Latinos, Community Water Center, We The People of Detroit, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Water Equals Life Coalition, Center for Water Security and Cooperation, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Elevate, River Network, Appalachian Citizens' Law Center, Michigan Faith in Action, Breathe Free Detroit, Detroit People's Platform, Michigan United, We The People Action Fund, Detroit Hamtramck Coalition for Advancing Healthy Environments, Michigan Chamber for Reproductive Justice, Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network, Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, Original United Citizens of Southwest Detroit, Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition, Sustainable Community Farms, Chandler Park Neighborhood Association, North End Woodward Community Coalition, Helco Block Club, Petty Propolis, Inc., Bayou City Waterkeeper, One Love Global, Cities of Peace, Detroit, Oakland University Student Congress, Verde, Redeem Programs, and Wisdom Institute.

"The H2O UP Act of 2024 represents a much-needed commitment to addressing water affordability, a crisis that disproportionately impacts low-income and historically undervalued communities. This legislation tackles the water affordability crisis from multiple angles, ensuring households receive a water bill they can afford while also supporting water systems with the technical assistance and funding necessary to maintain safe, reliable service," said Monica Lewis-Patrick, CEO of We The People of Detroit. "Integral to the Act's success is the establishment of Community Advisory Committees, which provide local residents, nonprofits, and stakeholders a seat at the table to guide program implementation in each region. We The People of Detroit supports the H2O UP Act as a transformative step toward water justice, and we urge Congress to swiftly pass this legislation to make safe, affordable water a reality for all."

"The United States is facing a growing affordability crisis, leaving many low-income families with impossible choices between paying their water bill and paying for food or medicine, or living in fear of having their water shut off," said Yasmin Zaerpoor, Director of Water Equity and Climate Resilience with PolicyLink, on behalf of the national Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus. "The introduction of the H2O UP Act of 2024 makes meaningful steps by pairing direct water bill assistance with systemic reforms that address the root causes of unaffordable water. This legislation is a comprehensive approach to ensuring safe and affordable water for all, now and in the future."

A one-pager of the bill can be found here.

A full copy of the legislation can be found here.