Philadelphia Residents May Get Relief from Soaring Water Bills Under New Legislation
A new legislative package, dubbed "Just Water," has been introduced by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd), aiming to tackle rising utility bills and inaccurate water meter readings that have left consumers footing the bill. The proposed legislation includes two bills and a resolution, which could bring some much-needed relief to Philadelphia residents struggling with skyrocketing water bills.
The first bill would expand eligibility for the city's tiered assistance program, allowing households making up to 200% above the federal poverty level to access structured payment plans. This move aims to provide support to low-income families who are disproportionately affected by rising water rates. The second bill would require the city to share the cost of unpaid bills when water meters fail to accurately record usage for over a year, potentially preventing thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses.
Another aspect of the "Just Water" package is a resolution calling for a hearing to address tenants who lose access to water or are excluded from assistance programs due to their landlords' names. This provision acknowledges that many renters face barriers when trying to navigate the city's water billing system, often resulting in them being left without access to this essential service.
Councilmember Gauthier has long been vocal about her concerns regarding water bills and their impact on Philadelphia residents. She highlighted a personal experience where she witnessed an $8,000 bill being sent to a resident who was unfairly deemed responsible for paying the difference after a new meter was installed in her home. The water department claimed that the old meter had given incorrect readings, but Gauthier believes this policy failure has left many families struggling.
The "Just Water" package comes at a time when water rates have been steadily increasing, with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) recently raising rates by nearly 10%. This move has disproportionately affected working-class families who are already struggling to make ends meet. According to Gauthier, this means that even more families will be forced to pinch pennies just to pay their bills.
The two bills under consideration have been referred to a committee for further review and approval before they return to the City Council floor for a full vote. The resolution on holding a hearing has been unanimously approved, and residents who have faced similar struggles can now look forward to having their voices heard by city officials.
A new legislative package, dubbed "Just Water," has been introduced by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd), aiming to tackle rising utility bills and inaccurate water meter readings that have left consumers footing the bill. The proposed legislation includes two bills and a resolution, which could bring some much-needed relief to Philadelphia residents struggling with skyrocketing water bills.
The first bill would expand eligibility for the city's tiered assistance program, allowing households making up to 200% above the federal poverty level to access structured payment plans. This move aims to provide support to low-income families who are disproportionately affected by rising water rates. The second bill would require the city to share the cost of unpaid bills when water meters fail to accurately record usage for over a year, potentially preventing thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses.
Another aspect of the "Just Water" package is a resolution calling for a hearing to address tenants who lose access to water or are excluded from assistance programs due to their landlords' names. This provision acknowledges that many renters face barriers when trying to navigate the city's water billing system, often resulting in them being left without access to this essential service.
Councilmember Gauthier has long been vocal about her concerns regarding water bills and their impact on Philadelphia residents. She highlighted a personal experience where she witnessed an $8,000 bill being sent to a resident who was unfairly deemed responsible for paying the difference after a new meter was installed in her home. The water department claimed that the old meter had given incorrect readings, but Gauthier believes this policy failure has left many families struggling.
The "Just Water" package comes at a time when water rates have been steadily increasing, with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) recently raising rates by nearly 10%. This move has disproportionately affected working-class families who are already struggling to make ends meet. According to Gauthier, this means that even more families will be forced to pinch pennies just to pay their bills.
The two bills under consideration have been referred to a committee for further review and approval before they return to the City Council floor for a full vote. The resolution on holding a hearing has been unanimously approved, and residents who have faced similar struggles can now look forward to having their voices heard by city officials.
they need help ASAP. it's not fair that low-income families are being hit hard with these rising rates. the fact that some people can't get access to assistance programs because of their landlord's name is just ridiculous 
. councilmember gauthier is doing an amazing job fighting for them, but i hope it doesn't take too long for this legislation to pass 
. we should be providing essential services like water not causing financial stress 
.
, but what really caught my eye was the part about sharing the cost of unpaid bills when meters fail 
. I mean, who hasn't had that happen to them at some point? It's like, "Wait, I paid for water just fine... why am I still getting this huge bill?" 
. Like, it's not fair when you can't get access to water because your landlord is being shady 
.
. And I'm all about it when they're raising awareness about issues that affect everyday people 
councilmember gauthier is literally a hero 4 her advocacy 
i mean who gets sent an $8k bill 4 being unfairly stuck w/ incorrect meter readings?
thats just plain insane!!! 
its time 4 our city 2 get its act togetha & make sure everyone has access 2 clean water 
. But seriously, this "Just Water" legislation is like a breath of fresh air for Philly residents who can't afford their skyrocketing bills. I'm all for expanding eligibility for structured payment plans and sharing the cost of unpaid bills with the city. It's about time we tackle these issues and make sure everyone has access to clean water without breaking the bank 
. Can you imagine what it'd be like if our councilmember had introduced this bill back in the '90s? 
maybe things would've been different by now, but at least there's still hope for the future! 
. This is a big step forward in making sure low-income families aren't getting taken advantage of when it comes to water bills 
. The fact that the city is willing to step in and help by sharing the cost of unpaid bills is a huge relief 
.
, it's about time we do something about those outrageous water bills 
Like, what about people living on the streets or in shelters? Don't they deserve some water too?