The Harvard Kennedy School’s Journalist’s Resource recently published an interesting article highlighting the inequities in access to safe in-home water across the United States. Around 1.1 million people across the U.S. report lacking some access to running water in their homes and households of color are disproportionately more likely to fall into this group. Households of color in metropolitan areas are 34% more likely to lack complete plumbing in their home. For a household to have complete plumbing, it must have it running hot and cold water plus a bathtub or shower used only by people living in the dwelling. Even for households with complete plumbing, keeping safe water running in their homes can be a harsh financial challenge. Households in the lowest fifth percentile of income earners spend on average 12.4% of their disposable monthly income to pay their water and sewer bills. Unpaid water bills can result in eviction and even the loss of one’s home in certain municipalities. When families do not have proper access to water, they run the risk of serious harm. Along with the basic concerns around hygiene, as seen in places like Flint, exposure to lead and legionella bacteria can both occur when access to clean, safe water is not available in peoples’ homes. With water costs rising 64% percent over the last decade, access to clean, safe, in-home water will continue to be challenge for many vulnerable households across the country. [1] Click here for a 100% free consultation. THE MATERIALS ON THIS WEBSITE HAVE BEEN PREPARED BY JULES ZACHER, P.C. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE NOT LEGAL ADVICE OR A SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL COUNSEL. [1] https://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/race-society/running-water-race-water-metro-areas/