Water affordability is a nuanced issue – water service costs in northeastern Illinois are rising, while working class wages stay the same. From 2010 to 2019, the price of water service increased by over 57% in 30 major U.S. cities.
Water Affordability Research
Much More Than a Drop in the Bucket: Impacts of Water Debt and Shutoffs on Residents and Utilities
As the cost of water service rises nationally, it is imperative that decision-makers understand the scale and scope of water affordability challenges for residents and municipal drinking water utilities, including the impacts of water debt and shutoffs.
This report is a synthesis of Elevate and other water advocates’ work to understand the scale and scope of water affordability challenges for residents and municipal drinking water utilities, with a specific focus on water debt and shutoffs. We explore these issues through: 1) an analysis of existing quantitative data on water debt and shutoffs, including Elevate and its partners’ analyses of municipal billing data, and 2) a synthesis of interviews, media stories, and stories shared during Elevate’s water reconnection work, highlighting the lived experience of debt and shutoffs, both for residents and utilities.
Northeastern Illinois Water Affordability Report
In 2020 we worked with the Metropolitan Planning Council and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant to examine the extent of water burden in Illinois. This report highlights our research approach, analysis and findings for where water burden exists in Northeastern Illinois, and provides important considerations and pathways for solutions to the growing water affordability issue we face as a region.
We also created an online, interactive dashboard tool to show a high-level view of water burden in northeastern Illinois communities. You can find out the water burden in your community and explore the accompanying Water Affordability Dashboard Tool here.
Read the Water Affordability Report
Municipal Water Affordability Reports
Elevate and Metropolitan Planning Council, with support from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, partner with municipalities to provide technical assistance to their water departments to address affordability challenges.
These reports provide staff and municipal officials in the with an overview of water affordability issues, along with key findings and recommendations to guide future water rate discussions and the adoption of affordability-based programs and policies.
- Village of Broadview Water Affordability Analysis (2023)
- City of Harvey Water Affordability Analysis (2023)
- City of Chicago Water Affordability and Utility Billing Relief Analysis (2023)
- City of Chicago Water Affordability Analysis (2021)
Case Studies: Stories of Water Affordability
Lacking Water Infrastructure and High Water Costs
When homes have older water infrastructure containing lead, accessing safe water to drink can be costly. Read the case study
Water Debt from the Administrative Challenges of Water Departments
Sometimes water affordability challenges are not related to the cost of water, but the inflexibility of administrative challenges that leads to high water debt. Read the case study
Living Without Water: A Story of Water Unaffordability
Water is a human right and a necessity, yet many people are forced to live without water because of the unaffordable cost. Read the case study
Water Affordability: A Roadblock to Building Generational Wealth
The administrative hurdles of water departments can result in high water bills and debt that prevent homeownership. Read the case study
Plumbing Leaks and Water Debt
Unexpected leaks in a home’s plumbing are hard to identify and can lead to growing bills and a spiral of debt for a homeowner. Read the case study
Water Affordability Support
Are you behind on your water bills? You’re not alone – tens of thousands of Chicagoans are, too. If you have water debt, we’re here to help you find solutions.
Water Debt Workshops
Elevate is working with community partners to host water debt workshops. During the events we go through a step-by-step breakdown of the water billing and collections process, and provide the information and resources you need to get water debt relief. You can watch a recording of a previous workshop here.
Do you want to share this information with your audience? This blog provides resources and important consideration to help you host your own water workshop.
Water Debt Resources
- Elevate’s Water Affordability: Need to Know fact sheet gives an overview of how you can save on water costs at home.
- WBEZ’s water resource guide answers frequently asked questions about water debt, links to resources, and has a breakdown of Chicago’s water bill structure.
- The Citizen’s Utility Board offers utility and water bill analysis and more information on water saving tips and understanding your water bill.
Water Assistance Programs
Chicago’s Utility Billing Relief (UBR) program provides Chicago residents with lower incomes a 50% reduction on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax, no late payment penalties or water shut-offs, and debt forgiveness after successfully completing one year of payments with no past due balance. Contact CEDA at 800-571-2332 or visit the UBR webpage for more information and to apply.
Utility Bill Payment Plans can be set up with the City of Chicago for qualified customers. Learn more by contacting the City at 312-744-4426 or on the City of Chicago website.