Everyone needs clean water.

But did you know low-income communities struggle to afford water? In the past five years, mass water turn offs have threatened communities from Detroit to Flint to Baltimore.

The Thurgood Marshall Institute’s study Water/Color: A Study of Race and the Water Affordability Crisis in America’s Cities shines a spotlight on:

• The history of municipal water systems in the U.S. during two distinct time periods: the late 18th century through the first part of the 20th century and the post World War II era to the present.
• The skyrocketing price of water and how our failing infrastructure is the biggest contributing cost.
• A framework for potential litigation and policy solutions to challenge water lien sales and service terminations that have a disproportionate impact on Black communities.

For an overview of the report, click here. 

Published: June 10, 2019