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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) and Debbie Dingell (MI-12) applauded the City of Detroit’s move to suspend water shutoffs until at least 2022, and its stated intent to permanently end water shutoffs, after years of grassroots advocacy and pressure by local water activists. Reps. Tlaib and Dingell also stressed the need for a national moratorium on water shutoffs as millions of residents are either without water or risk having their water shutoff in the midst of the worst public health pandemic in our lifetimes – and one that requires hand washing to prevent the spread of the virus. They are encouraging House and Senate leadership to include their Emergency Water is a Human Right bill in the next COVID-19 relief package. The Congresswomen have already had water shutoff and payment assistance measures pass the House twice this year.

“I’m glad that after years of pressure and advocacy by local water warriors to stop shutting off water to residents, the City of Detroit has heard them and committed to ending shutoffs forever,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. “I hope city leaders will now join Congresswoman Dingell and me in pushing House and Senate leadership to pass the Emergency Water is a Human Right Act and extend a water shutoff moratorium nationwide. We owe it to all of the water warriors, many of whom are no longer here with us, to ensure that water is a human right and end water shutoffs, especially in the middle of a public health emergency.”

“If government denies people access to water, it is denying them their human rights,” said Dingell. “This week, the city of Detroit heard the voices of advocates and citizens who recognized this extension was a matter of life and death. But this experience has only underscored the urgent need for Congress to pass the Emergency Water a Human Right Act. Along with Congresswoman Tlaib, we are fighting for justice for all who have been denied access to clean water in this country.”

The Emergency Water is a Human Right Act, introduced in April, would prohibit water shutoffs and ensure water affordability protections for low-income households during the COVID-19 national emergency. It would establish a $1.5 billion fund for assistance to state and local governments to help low-income residents pay off their bills. Prior to this crisis an estimated 15 million people in the United States had experienced a water shutoff, especially in communities with higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and people of color. The bill would also require providers to reconnect water services for anyone still experiencing a water disconnection. Currently, after Michigan’s conservative Supreme Court struck down Governor Whitmer’s water shutoff protections, only 5 states have shutoff moratoria on the books. The Emergency Water is a Human Right bill currently has 68 co-sponsors in the House.