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1 1 (May 13, 2020)

handle is hein.crs/govdamr0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Researh Sevice COVID-19 and Public Water Service Continuity Updated May 13, 2020 The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased attention to several issues regarding the provision of public water services. These include long-standing water-rate affordability concerns, the importance of clean water to public health, and the financial sustainability of some public water systems (whether publicly or privately owned). The spread of COVID- 19 has raised specific concerns regarding the continuity of residential water services needed to support hand-washing and other public health measures-particularly as more customers may become unable to pay water bills because of job losses or reduced income. At the same time, water service providers are projecting substantial revenue losses related to COVID-19. Policy options being discussed to alleviate such impacts and help ensure the continuity of water service include providing temporary assistance to households and/or water systems. The power to control water service shutoffs generally lies with state and local governments. In response to COVID-19, most state public utility commissions have directed private/investor-owned utilities (and, in some cases, other systems) to continue service during the pandemic. At least 15 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have directed publicly and privately owned systems to continue service. Six of these states are also requiring water systems to reconnect service to residences where water had been shutoff for non-payment. Other states have reached voluntary agreements with water systems not to disconnect services during the pandemic. Also, numerous water utilities have committed to providing service to non-paying customers. In light of these actions and other COVID-19 impacts, municipal and rural water associations and others have urged Congress to provide temporary financial assistance to water systems. Water Service Pricing, Affordability, and Disconnections The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that the pricing of water services covers the costs of providing service, for both operations and maintenance and capital expenses. Customers' water bills typically support operations and maintenance costs and sometimes long-term capital investments. Water system pricing structures vary (e.g., tiered rates to encourage conservation or flat rates for all users). While systems generally have flexibility in determining a pricing structure, certain privately owned systems (and, in some states, publicly owned systems) are subject to state and local requirements that control rate increases. Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN11338 Prepared for MNembers and

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