Water infrastructure is essential for meeting and managing basic human needs. Public health begins and ends with clean and available water. But the cost of water services has been increasing over the years, making it more difficult for low-income residents to afford their water bills.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many water utilities are restoring water service to homes where service was previousl In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many water utilities are restoring water service to homes where service was previously shut off due to non-payment. Water utilities are trying to respond quickly to this urgent need and should provide instructions on how to flush household plumbing to restore water quality in the home after extended water shutoffs. y shut off due to non-payment. Water utilities are trying to respond quickly to this urgent need and should provide instructions on how to flush household plumbing to restore water quality in the home after extended water shutoffs.

You can’t wash your hands if your water has been shut off. Detroiters who have been fighting for a moratorium on water shutoffs for years finally received good news when Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a plan to stop shutoffs and directed the City of Detroit to reconnect water service for all residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. While over 350 US cities and states have pledged to stop new shutoffs nationwide, far fewer have committed to restoring water service. But announcing that water restorations are available does not mean the public health crisis has been fixed. Thousands of affected residents in Detroit and across the country need emergency water today.