No Privatization in the Infrastructure Plan!

Congress is trying to reach an agreement on a massive infrastructure spending package, and there's a newly-proposed plan that must be stopped. This infrastructure proposal would promote privatization of essential services and facilitate a Wall Street takeover of our water.

Water privatization leads to higher rates, worse service and lost jobs.

Sign below to tell President Biden and Congress to reject privatization in the infrastructure package.

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No Privatization in the Infrastructure Plan!

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Dear President Biden and Members of Congress,

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I urge you to reject the bipartisan infrastructure proposal that would facilitate a Wall Street takeover of essential services like water. The top two proposed financing sources for infrastructure upgrades in the Group of 20 proposal would strong-arm municipalities into some form of privatization. This push to privatize is alarmingly similar to Trump's proposed infrastructure package, and it must not be included in the final infrastructure package.

Water privatization will lead to rate hikes on households already struggling to afford their water bills. Private corporations charge 59% more than public water utilities. Already, nearly one in three U.S. households struggle to afford their water and sewer bills, and many people have fallen even further behind due to the pandemic.

Private companies focus on profit maximization, so water privatization can increase costs, worsen service quality and allow infrastructure to crumble. There is ample evidence from communities across the country that maintenance backlogs, wasted water, sewage spills and worse service often follow privatization schemes.

Federal funding for water has been cut by 77 percent in real terms since its peak in 1977. Our communities need proper investment in our water infrastructure now, not false solutions like privatization.

Communities need real federal dollars spent on drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.  The most comprehensive funding solution on the table is the WATER Act (HR1352, S916). The WATER Act would provide $35 billion a year to fully fund our water infrastructure at the level that is needed, according to EPA needs surveys.

I urge you to reject water privatization in all its forms, and fight for a bold, uncompromising infrastructure package that provides real federal funding at the level our communities urgently need. Do not compromise on our water.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]