FLINT, MI — Flint water rates were initially raised by 35% in 2011. Residents in the city were caught by surprise with the increase in the water rates as noted here. Many had to research the increase in rates because the city failed to issue any notices regarding the determination.
Then Councilman Scott Kincaid, represented by Val Washington, filed suit against the city regarding the water rates in 2013. Washington would continue to lead the fight to lower the water rates by seeking a class action status in a suit regarding liens being placed on homes with delinquent water bills. The issue of the water fund and rates had a dramatic impact on the City and, consequently, it was circumstances like this that ultimately lead to the review of Flint’s finances by the Snyder Administration. The story of the water rate is intricately tied to the Flint Water Crises as water rates were one of the primary reasons Emergency Managers would use to justify joining with the KWA.
Residents of Flint continued to pay the highest water rates, despite all the attention from the Water Crisis. There were several attempts to deal with liens being placed on the homes of those with delinquent water bills and alleviating the high cost of water but the problem never came to a resolution.
The current language around the water rates and turn-offs has made mention of affordability but focuses on residents paying delinquent bills while a moratorium has been enacted to prevent disconnections. This again is another temporary solution to an ongoing problem. For 10 years, Flint residents have been subjected to increased water rates, a Water Crisis, and failure of the State and City governments to enact lasting solutions to remedy the issue. As stated previously, the water rates were intricately connected to the Water Crisis, and this is another harm where the citizens of Flint need justice. The residents had no say in the actions that led to the disaster of the Water Crisis which was predicated on financial mismanagement of the city and the water funds. Many of the responsible officials are no longer in office but the people of Flint are still paying the price for the decisions made. Now the question is this, should they still have to pay for the high price of water as well?
