I, like many others, am hit with an outrageous water bill month after month. I live alone and yet, my water bill for just one month stands at $175.00! This is a financial hardship I am continuously forced to bear, despite having a water meter that should be making my payments equitable.

Across the nation, single-person households are being unfairly burdened with exorbitant water costs. In many cases, these households are charged a higher rate per gallon than multi-person households, despite logically having a lower overall consumption. Water is a basic necessity for life, and the costs associated with it must be just and fair.

The current pricing system for many utilities, including water, has been found to disproportionately affect low and middle income households, according to a 2016 study by the Michigan State University (1). The study pressures utility companies to consider income-based pricing models as a solution to this problem.

Now, we call upon lawmakers and utility regulators to take action. Restructuring the water rate system to ensure affordability for all, especially single-person households, should be a priority. Our pleas for equitable water costs must be heard and acted upon.

Please sign this petition to show your support for fair water costs, because it can't be justified that a single person has to carry such an overwhelming financial burden for basic needs like water.