Why Do Over 1 Million Americans Live in 'Plumbing Poverty' Without Running Water?

The Overlooked Water Crisis in America

The housing crisis in America is not just about affordability—it is also a water crisis. Millions of people across the country are struggling with inadequate access to running water, a fundamental necessity for hygiene, health, and dignity. According to a recent study led by Professor Katie Meehan of King’s College London, approximately 1.1 million Americans live without reliable access to running water.

Understanding Plumbing Poverty

Plumbing poverty refers to households that lack reliable access to clean, running water due to various economic and infrastructural challenges. These households may face the following issues:

• Inability to afford water bills, leading to service disconnections.
• Broken or outdated plumbing that residents cannot afford to repair.
• Substandard housing, including converted warehouses or makeshift homes, without proper plumbing.
• Regional water crises caused by contamination or infrastructure failures, such as those seen in Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi.

The Economic Factors Behind the Crisis

The study highlights that factors like stagnant wages, the rising cost of living, and unaffordable housing have pushed more families into plumbing poverty. Many people prioritize paying rent or mortgage over utilities, forcing them to make tough decisions about their basic needs.

How Widespread Is the Problem?

While official estimates suggest that 1.1 million people are affected, the real number may be much higher. The U.S. Census data used in the research does not account for homeless individuals or those who avoid reporting their water access issues due to stigma or fear of repercussions. In fact, experts believe the true number could be double the reported figure.

Regional Disparities: Where Is Plumbing Poverty Most Severe?

According to the 2021 data, New York City had the highest number of people without running water, with approximately 56,900 affected residents. However, this number represents significant progress compared to 2000 when the city had around 158,000 people without water access.

Other cities have struggled to make improvements:

• Phoenix and San Francisco: Have made little progress in addressing plumbing poverty.
• Portland, Oregon: Has seen an increase in water access issues over time.

The Hidden Struggles of Undercounted Communities

Communities of color and rural populations are disproportionately affected by plumbing poverty. The Census Bureau considers these communities “hard to count,” which means that their water access issues are likely underreported. Systemic inequalities, lack of investment in infrastructure, and historical discrimination contribute to these disparities.

Health and Social Consequences of Water Insecurity

Living without running water has severe consequences on individuals and families, including:

• Health Risks: Lack of clean water can lead to poor hygiene, increasing the risk of infectious diseases such as cholera and hepatitis A.
• Educational Impact: Children in water-insecure homes may struggle with school attendance and performance due to illness or difficulty maintaining hygiene.
• Economic Struggles: Families without running water may have to spend extra money on bottled water, increasing their financial burden.

Lessons from Past Water Crises

Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi, serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of failing water infrastructure. In Flint, the 2014 water crisis exposed thousands to lead contamination, causing long-term health issues. Jackson has also faced repeated water outages, leaving residents without access to safe drinking water for weeks at a time.

Potential Solutions to Plumbing Poverty

Addressing this crisis requires a fundamental transformation in housing policies and infrastructure investment. Solutions include:

• Government Assistance Programs: Expanding federal and state water assistance programs to help low-income households pay water bills.
• Infrastructure Investment: Repairing and upgrading outdated water systems, especially in marginalized communities.
• Stronger Tenant Protections: Ensuring landlords provide safe, habitable living conditions, including functioning plumbing.
• Community-Led Initiatives: Encouraging local solutions, such as community water stations and mobile shower units for unhoused individuals.

Conclusion: A Call for Action

Plumbing poverty is an often-overlooked crisis that affects millions of Americans. Without immediate intervention, the problem will continue to grow, deepening economic and health disparities. To create lasting change, we must invest in housing, infrastructure, and social policies that ensure every individual has access to the most basic human necessity—running water.

Addressing this issue requires collaboration between policymakers, local governments, and communities. Only by recognizing the scope of the problem and taking decisive action can we eliminate plumbing poverty and secure a future where clean water is accessible to all.