the color of water
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Massachusetts Global Action. The Color of Water. Organizing for the Human Right to Water in Boston. Water Elects Mayor, President. Political football in 1988 presidential elections Boston’s Mayor Tom Menino first ran on a platform of holding down water rate increases - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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The Color of WaterThe Color of WaterOrganizing for the Human Right to Water in Boston
Massachusetts Global ActionMassachusetts Global Action
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Water Elects Mayor, PresidentWater Elects Mayor, President
• Political football in 1988 presidential elections
• Boston’s Mayor Tom Menino first ran on a platform of holding down water rate increases
• Throughout the early 1990s water was a big issue for homeowners, tenants, and landlords
www.ColorOfWater.org
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Water’s Institutional CycleWater’s Institutional Cycle• Environmental Regulatory Agencies
Environmental Protection Agency (Federal) Mass Dept of Environmental Protection
(State) Department of Food & Agriculture (State)
• Mass Water Resources Authority (MWRA, state)
• Boston Water & Sewer Commission (BWSC, city)
www.ColorOfWater.org
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Boston’s Water Suppliers Boston’s Water Suppliers
• Mass Water Resources Authority (MWRA) State controlled, possible privatization target “Wholesaler” supplies most of eastern Mass Multi-billion dollar debt; forecasts price
increases
• Boston Water & Sewer Commission (BWSC) Created in 1977, radically improved efficiency Funded by fee for servicesFunded by fee for services Mayor appoints 3 commissionersMayor appoints 3 commissioners City Council power is unclearCity Council power is unclear
www.ColorOfWater.org
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Policy on Non-paymentPolicy on Non-payment• Relatively low-priced, equitable
distribution of services About $50/month Collections are processed in house Exemptions for illness and age
• ButBut, no provision for: Employment statusEmployment status Income or welfare statusIncome or welfare status Presence of children, minorsPresence of children, minors Family, household situationFamily, household situation
www.ColorOfWater.org
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Cut offs, 2003 - 2006Cut offs, 2003 - 2006
www.ColorOfWater.org
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Sharp Inequalities Across Sharp Inequalities Across Boston’s NeighborhoodsBoston’s Neighborhoods
www.ColorOfWater.org
Neighborhoods Threatened CutoffsPercent of
Population Affected
Roxbury - Dorchester: Franklin Field, Grove Hall,
Codman Square, Lower Mills, Meeting House Hill, Adams Street; Roxbury Highlands, Franklin Park; Hyde Park,
Readville, Mattapan
42 per 1,000 residents
16%
S. Boston, Broadway-Marine Park, Andrew Square, East
Everett; Jamaica Plain, Pondside, Arboretum; East
Boston; West Roxbury; Roslindale
18per 1,000 residents
7%
Charlestown; Downtown; Back Bay; Beacon Hill; West
Fens; Brighton; Commonwealth; Prudential;
East Fens; Medical Area
5per 1,000 residents
2%
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Atlanta, Detroit & PortlandAtlanta, Detroit & Portland• Very different approaches
to providing assistance• AtlantaAtlanta: City-based : City-based
charity provides charity provides assistanceassistance
• DetroitDetroit: Provisions for : Provisions for welfare statuswelfare status
• PortlandPortland: Income-based : Income-based public assistance through public assistance through citycity
www.ColorOfWater.org
Portland’s income guidelines
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Our ProjectOur Project• Get City of Boston to implement the
human right to water– Guarantee a lifeline supply of water to
each household–Make provision for emergencies to
ensure that all residents have water– Protect and conserve water sources
• Local action supports global claims, Local action supports global claims, calls into question current US admin’s calls into question current US admin’s positionposition
www.ColorOfWater.org
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5 Elements to Strategy5 Elements to Strategy1.1. Build a city-wide network of Build a city-wide network of
grassroots organizationsgrassroots organizations2.2. Engage the BWSC and MWRA in a Engage the BWSC and MWRA in a
dialogue about the human right to dialogue about the human right to waterwater
3.3. Work with the Boston City Council Work with the Boston City Council and Mayor’s Officeand Mayor’s Office
4.4. Build a state-wide network of Build a state-wide network of individuals and organizations individuals and organizations
5.5. Generate public awareness and Generate public awareness and deepen education about waterdeepen education about waterwww.ColorOfWater.org
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www.ColorOfWater.owww.ColorOfWater.orgrg• Provide campaign
updates• Summarize current
developments• Engage
organizations, media & policy makers
• Become a public education portal
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www.MassGlobalAction.www.MassGlobalAction.orgorg• Multi-issue site
• Summarize organizational work
• Links to other MGA work• Directed toward other
organizations and allies
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www.ColorOfWater.org