Too many people across the country can’t wash their hands because their water service is turned off. This endangers all of us, especially when one of the most widely endorsed strategies to prevent or manage the coronavirus (COVID-19) is to wash our hands frequently. 

Water must be turned on for everyone, right now, for the safety of the entire country. That’s why we’re pushing both Congress in its stimulus package and governors at the state level to stop all water shutoffs. We’re also demanding our leaders enact long-term solutions that will ensure our water systems are funded.

This emergency has proven one thing: Withholding water costs lives, and it’s time our representatives stepped up to protect us.

We Can Stop Water Shutoffs Amid This Pandemic

By taking action, you can be a part of the amazing response from people all across the U.S. demanding water shutoffs in their state and around the country. Together, with 53,000 supporters signing on to our actions, we’ve:

• Stopped water shutoffs in 15 states and DC,
  
• Helped 663 local jurisdictions suspend all water shutoffs for nonpayment, 
  
• Protected 206 million Americans (that’s 63% of the U.S. population),
  
• Found that the top 10 cities with the most water shutoffs, identified in our national survey conducted in 2018, are now among the places that have paused shutoffs,
  
• Coordinated with 80 members of Congress to join our movement and released a letter (headlined by Rep. Brenda Lawrence) demanding federal action on water,
  
• Joined more than 230 environmental, social justice, labor, and religious organizations from across the country sending a partner letter echoing the demands, and
  
• Worked with more than 830 groups to send a letter to Congress also pushing for federal action on water, along with protections for electricity and broadband connectivity access. 

You can check to see every city, state, and utility that has taken action to provide water for all on our public spreadsheet with live updates.  

Several States Are Showing the Nation How It’s Done

Some states have been responding faster than others. Here are some of the top grassroots movements that have formed to push for water justice during the pandemic:

• Washington: Governor Inslee does the right thing in Washington state.
• Maryland: The City and County of Baltimore suspend shutoffs.
• Pennsylvania: The state’s Public Utilities Commission prohibits shutoffs for water and other utilities.
• Ohio: The Ohio EPA bans water shutoffs during the coronavrius pandemic.
• New Jersey: New Jersey agencies ask water utilities to suspend shutoffs.
• Louisiana: The New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board suspends shutoffs during the Mayor’s Declared Emergency.

Read About Suspending Water Shutoffs to Fight Coronavirus

Here is more of our analysis around the need for an immediate suspension of water shutoffs. 

• “Coronavirus Has Brought a Major Warning About Our Water.“
• The Relationship Between Water Shutoffs and COVID-19
• “Water Shutoff Protections Prevented Covid Infections and Deaths“

Other Ways to Help Protect Water

Our efforts are starting to work, but we need to keep pushing. Consider becoming a monthly donor to support fights like this one. We need your help to keep pushing!