Low-income LADWP customers’ bills are about to rise. What help is available?
Low-income LADWP customer bills are rising. Help is available Los Angeles Times
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Introduction
As Angelenos endure another scorching summer, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) is making changes to a discount program that previously assisted low-income families with their water bills. This adjustment is necessary due to a court ruling that declared the subsidies supporting the discounted rates illegal. While some discounts will remain in place, the discounted water rates will be discontinued. In this report, we will explore the impact of this change and highlight alternative sources of aid available to affected customers.
What was the lawsuit about?
The lawsuit against the LADWP was filed by Los Angeles residents Stephen and Melinda Dreher in 2019. They argued that the DWP’s water rates violated the California Constitution, specifically challenging the tiered pricing system that charged heavy users more per gallon than light users. This tiered pricing system aimed to promote water conservation in response to dwindling supply. However, under Proposition 218, water rates must be tied to the cost of delivering the service, or else they are considered taxes that require a public vote. The court upheld the DWP’s tiered pricing but ruled against the utility’s Low-Income Subsidy Adjustment, stating that it was not proportional to the cost of delivering water and therefore violated Proposition 218.
Who will be affected?
The discontinuation of water discounts will impact approximately a quarter-million low-income households in Los Angeles. Specifically, the discounts will be removed from two programs: EZ-SAVE, which caters to low-income households in general, and Lifeline, which offers larger discounts to elderly customers and individuals with disabilities whose household income in 2022 was less than $50,450. The discounts provided by these programs ranged from $5 to $10 per month, depending on the number of people in the household. However, it is important to note that the ruling only affects the funding behind the water discounts, and discounts for electricity and sewer service will continue.
Are there other sources of help?
While discounted rates like those offered by EZ-SAVE and Lifeline will no longer be available, there are alternative sources of assistance for affected customers. One such option is the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), which provides a one-time grant to pay current bills or built-up debt. This program has income limits based on household size and is available until August 31. Additionally, the DWP offers two programs to help customers manage their bills: Level Pay, which spreads utility bills evenly throughout the year, and Extended Payment Arrangements, which allow EZ-SAVE and Lifeline customers to pay overdue balances over a period of up to 48 months without interest charges or fees.
It is crucial to emphasize the importance of addressing these challenges in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs aim to eradicate poverty, ensure access to clean water and affordable energy, and promote sustainable cities and communities. By providing alternative sources of aid and implementing programs that assist low-income households, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power can contribute to achieving these SDGs.
About The Times Utility Journalism Team
This article is from The Times’ Utility Journalism Team, whose mission is to be essential to the lives of Southern Californians by publishing information that solves problems, answers questions, and aids decision-making. The team serves diverse communities in and around Los Angeles, including those historically underserved by traditional media coverage. For further inquiries or to provide feedback, please email utility@latimes.com or contact one of our journalists: Matt Ballinger, Jon Healey, Ada Tseng, Jessica Roy, and Karen Garcia.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article discusses the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) shrinking a discount program that helped low-income families pay their water bills. This issue is connected to SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. It is also connected to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under SDG 6 that can be identified are related to ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water. The article highlights the discount program that helped low-income families pay their water bills, indicating the importance of affordability in achieving this target. Additionally, the article’s focus on low-income households and the impact of the discount program shrinking connects to SDG 10.2, which aims to promote social and economic inclusion for all individuals.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage of population with access to safe and affordable drinking water
- Percentage of low-income households receiving water bill discounts
The article mentions the discount program that provided low-income families with reduced water rates. The percentage of low-income households receiving these discounts can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG 6.1. Additionally, the article discusses the impact of the discount program shrinking, indicating a potential decrease in the percentage of low-income households receiving water bill discounts.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. | Percentage of population with access to safe and affordable drinking water |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Percentage of low-income households receiving water bill discounts |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: latimes.com
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