In January city authorities sharply increased the rate for water. They have also instituted an increase of an additional 1 percent to the sales tax, purportedly to pay for $3 billion in sewer improvements. A federal judge ruled that Atlanta’s antiquated sewers violate the Federal Clean Water Act. The price of water will steadily increase until 2008 when the rates for the largest water users will have tripled.

The city’s sewer system is notorious for broken pipes and frequent backups in working-class neighborhoods.

Workers, particularly those worst paid and unemployed, and those living on disability and Social Security retirement payments, will feel the largest impact.

An article in the November 2 New York Times reported that the Midtown Assistance Center, used to receiving calls from those looking for help with gas and electric bills, was now getting calls from people looking for help in paying water bills.

Speaking from the center, Dorothy Chandler said, “It’s a huge concern. The calls that I’ve had today, the people are $600 behind, $800 behind. They’re huge amounts, much more than we could possibly help with.”

The Times article said that Irene Gorman, a pharmacy worker who is a single mother of four, has paid $80 a week on a past due bill and has trimmed it to $282.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home