Drinking water affordability

The Great Lakes region has some of the most unaffordable rates for drinking water in the country. In about 45% of Ohio communities, for example, less wealthy households must pay more than 10% of disposable income for basic water and sewer service. This causes an affordability crisis that puts people in debt and can lead to their water and sewer service being shut off.

Learn more below about the water affordability crisis and ways to make drinking water more affordable.

Diving Deep for Solutions

January 22, 2024

Water Infrastructure: Getting Great Lakes Water to the People

For our Diving Deep for Solutions series, we commissioned author and journalist Kari Lydersen to examine big issues facing the lakes today and how our expert team at the Alliance for the Great Lakes […]

Blog

December 14, 2023

Reflections from COP28: A Journey of Global Impact and Local Stewardship

Note: This blog was written by Vice President of Policy and Strategic Engagement Crystal M.C. Davis. Attending the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai was an incredible experience, one that […]

Podcast

April 12, 2022

Water Affordability Documentary

Ramiro Berardo is an associate professor of environmental policy at Ohio State University. He’s written, directed, and produced a new documentary titled “…And Water For All” which premiered on World […]

Blog

May 26, 2021

Water Infrastructure Front and Center in Washington, DC

Note: This blog is part of a periodic series of updates from Don Jodrey, the Alliance’s Director of Federal Government Relations, with his view on Great Lakes policy from Washington, […]

Press Release

May 18, 2020

Groups Applaud the Introduction of Water For All Legislation

Joint Press Release from Alliance for the Great Lakes, Freshwater Future, and Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund May 14, 2020 (Columbus, OH) – On Thursday, Representative Erica Crawley (D-Columbus) introduced […]

Press Release

November 13, 2019

Study Details Challenges and Opportunities to Address Water Affordability in Ohio

Nov. 13, 2019 (Columbus, Ohio) – Costs for basic water and sewer services are rising in communities throughout the country. Yet water stresses, and the costs to fix them, are […]

Press Release

February 8, 2019

Water Affordability: Current Efforts Are Just a Drop in the Bucket

Cleveland, OH (February 8, 2019) – Yesterday, Great Lakes Today and American Public Media released a new investigative report – So Close, So Costly. The nine-month investigation examined the cost […]

BLOG

May 18, 2018

Cleveland Residents Share Concerns, Get Answers at Water Affordability Clinic

Cleveland residents, utility providers, and local community and environmental organizations gathered at the Collinwood Recreation Center last month to share concerns about rising, and at times unpredictable, water and sewer […]