Defend Water for Life: Oppose S2596, fight privatization of municipal water systems

Cash-strapped cities and water districts are often told that privatization is the solution to their budget woes. Sell off roads, parking garages, or water and sanitation systems to a private management company. Make some quick cash and never have to worry about meeting operating costs again. Sounds like a win, right?

But over and over, we've seen that privatization leads to higher costs and worse service, a more cut-throat attitude toward ratepayers who fall behind on their bills, and good-paying jobs turned to low-wage, non-union work.

Now the Senate is considering a water infrastructure bill that would encourage privatization of municipal water systems. Tell your Senators to oppose it.

The Voluntary Water Partnership for Distressed Communities Act (S.2596), filed by Senators Duckworth (D-IL), Braun (R-IN), and Feinstein (D-CA), allows cities whose drinking water systems are in violation of water quality standards to avoid fines for those violations if they sell the system or turn over operations to a private management company. That management company then gets an extra three years to comply with regulations—which means three years of residents drinking and washing with substandard water.

The bill also gives grants to companies that take over water systems. This is a waste of taxpayer money at a time when federal spending should be directed toward people who need assistance and good jobs, and cities facing budget shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently the Alliance was one of 65 national and state organizations sending a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.  All the groups opposed this bill. The Alliance is proud to stand with so many hardworking organizations in support of the right to water and the proven policies that improve water quality and access to water and sanitation.

We need funding to rebuild our municipal water and sanitation systems for our communities, not for corporate profit. CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW TO OPPOSE The Voluntary Water Partnership for Distressed Communities Act (S.2596). Defend Water for Life!