Since 2010, water rates have increased faster than the income of residents, especially residents at lower levels, according to a study commissioned by Toledo City Council. 

Toledo City Council’s Water Quality and Sustainability committee met on Thursday night for an update on the water affordability study commissioned by the city, as well as the results of the water debt forgiveness program that was launched in October.

The city tapped attorney and public utilities expert Roger Colton to complete the study.

“For the bottom one-fifth of the population by income, the average water burden is 27 percent. People were being asked to spend 27 percent of their income for their water bills,” Mr. Colton said. “It comes as no surprise that people just can’t afford to pay that.”

It was also noted that the coronavirus pandemic was not the reason for the study, but that it has had an impact on the ability of residents to pay their bills.

In the survey done in accordance with the study, 7 of 10 Toledo residents said that they would forgo paying for other necessities if they were concerned about paying their water bill. Most residents were not aware of the assistance programs available to them, according to the study.

“We’ve talked often about vibrant neighborhoods and how important it is for people to be able to maintain their homes,” committee chair Nick Komives said about the survey results. “The fact that this is something that prevents them from doing that impacts neighborhoods in larger ways.”

Results of the study recommended actions like making the affordability program open to all low-income consumers, increasing outreach and program awareness by connecting with potential eligible residents that already participate in social assistance programs.

The recently launched debt forgiveness program already has 1,056 enrolled residents, representing $1.1 million in debt. The city has also enrolled about 800 non-eligible residents on more flexible payment plans.

“Most of our folks that are on this program owe over $1,000, so this is debt that’s been hanging out there for a long time that we will probably end up writing off,” said Cindy Geronimo, Toledo’s commissioner of utilities administration. “We know people need water, so how do you get to a point where people can pay water and we can make it affordable to them?”

Ms. Geronimo also said that her department will continue to be out in the community promoting the debt forgiveness program and that residents can sign up until October of 2022.

First Published November 18, 2021, 11:47 p.m.