Jenn Hill

Seven months ago, life changed in Michigan when the coronavirus epidemic arrived.

The virus created a lot of uncertainty and a real need for leadership. Imagine if you had to worry about not having water during the pandemic, when one of the most important things you could do is wash your hands?

How did leaders in Michigan respond to this risk? Understanding that access to water is essential at any time, but especially during a pandemic when hand washing and proper sanitation is key to protecting our families, Gov. Whitmer signed an executive order that required all water utilities to restore water to any household without it.

However, a recent Michigan Supreme Court order invalidated this EO, among others. Without any protections in place Michiganders, in particular low-income, unemployed, underemployed, and those on a fixed income like seniors, are at risk of losing access to water.

Many Yoopers were experiencing economic hardship and seeing bills pile up before the pandemic and now that is exacerbated tenfold. Unfortunately, unlike electric and gas service there is very little financial assistance programs available to keep water flowing in homes. The Legislature and Gov. Whitmer acted to put in place a $25 million water assistance program to help pay down water bill arrearages that accumulated since March.

Five cities and counties in the Upper Peninsula received about $100,000 to cover unpaid water bills. This financial support met the urgent need, so people could stay safe in their homes and not spread or catch the virus. This funding helped real people from Sault Ste. Marie to Ironwood.

Access to water will also support fully opening our economy and getting our children back in school buildings full time. Proper sanitation and handwashing not only protects our families from the spread of COVID-19, but also ensures we can protect those around us as we interact in community spaces, such as schools, worksites, places of worship, and other shared spaces. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the UP and we need every tool in our toolbox to prevent exposure and to protect our loved ones.

With the water restoration EO no longer in effect and with families still struggling to keep up with the cost of basic necessities like food, power, and water, the ball is in the court of the Michigan Legislature to protect us.

The legislature should move swiftly to put in place a moratorium on water shut offs and require all water utilities to restore water to any home without it. The U.P. cannot afford to see what happens when we combine rising rates of COVID-19 with water shut offs.

Today, when several U.P. counties have the highest rates of infection in the state and the hospitals are crowded with patients, we can look back and see that the swift action through Executive Orders prevented many from getting sick and more deaths. Unfortunately, so-far the Legislature has failed to act on legislation that would protect access to water when they meet this week to take up a set of bills to fill the gaps in COVID-19 protections left by the Michigan Supreme Court ruling.

They met again on Wednesday, the last time they meet before the Nov. election. The Legislature must move legislation … to protect Yoopers access to water by codifying the governor’s executive order related to water.

Editor’s note: Jenn Hill is the city of Marquette mayor pro tem. This column, however, reflects only her viewpoint.