Introducing A Resolution For An Oversight Hearing On The Water4All Program
- Yaslin Machuca
- Apr 7
- 1 min read
25-0017R Informational Hearing – Water-for-All – Program Update
Water is a human right. The City Council recognized this and passed Council Bill 18-0307 the Water Accountability and Equity Act which was enacted in January of 2020, with a modification bill 20-0626 enacted on December 7, 2020.
The Water 4 All program replaced the BH2O program to provide water discounts to those who cannot afford to pay their water bill. Water 4 All includes assistance for homeowners. It also includes assistance for renters who have traditionally not been eligible for water discounts. The Water4All program was implemented in 2023 after long delays and continues today.
Water bill rates are going up. This resolution is designed to understand how the Water 4 All program is doing, if it is serving the needs in our communities, and if improvements need to be made to ensure as the rates are rising, more people can take advantage of this program.
Moreover, we have heard complaints about the application process, how the discounts are provided - which is once a year and not monthly - and that some residents who were eligible for BH20 are not eligible for Water4All.
