Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders could have their water shut off during the pandemic, according to a recent report.
Water advocates say state data shows urban and rural residents alike were behind on their water bills this summer.
Utilities reported how many of their customers were in arrears from March through the end of August.
Of the thousands behind on their water bills, the vast majority weren’t eligible for assistance.
In the Upper Peninsula, more than an estimated 11-thousand people were behind on their bills, says Natural Resources Defense Council’s Cyndi Roper.
“I know that a lot of people were struggling before the pandemic. And I believe that that’s just been made worse.”
Roper says state lawmakers are considering legislation that would reinstate a moratorium on pandemic water shutoffs, which ended in October.