People’s Water Board Coalition
Blog June 10, 2020, Why Are There People in Detroit Without Water?
Want the Truth, Let’s Talk About It with Nicole Hill!
Thousands of Detroit residents Fight Covid-19 Without Running Water
Why does Michigan, and particularly the Detroit area, remain a Covid-19 hotspot many ask. There is much public opinion as to why this is happening, but people…Let’s talk!
Currently, there are close to 8,000 residents surviving without water, between Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, and Flint (DWSD 2019). Appalling, right?! We are the Great Lakes state after all. So why is this occurring? It is, in a nutshell, due to strategies to make water privatized and dictate who is worthy of it. To punish low-income residents instead of eradicating poverty by instituting a water affordability plan that makes water affordable for all residents.
How will people wash their hands, you may ask? The short answer: They can’t. How will they protect themselves and others from the spread of this deadly virus: They won’t. And what needs to be done to fix this:
What can you do to help? You can call your state representative, city council member, and Governor Whitmer and urge them to support income-based water affordability plans. Most importantly, get involved to learn more water insecurity in Michigan. You can also contact the PEOPLE’S WATER BOARD COALITION TURN THE WATER ON, KEEP THE WATER ON! WE NEED WATER AFFORDABILITY! with your thoughts and ideas, and subscribe to this blog. Until next time, keep your head above water!
Nicole Hill is a directly impacted resident of Detroit, a member of the People’s Water Board and Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, and a Tri-chair for the Poor People’s Campaign. She is a mother of 7 and is devoted to combating poverty on all levels through her work in water affordability and social change.
