Janet Bunting thought she had caught a lucky break. In 2010, Detroit was reeling from the recession and foreclosure signs were shooting up like skyrockets at the city’s riverfront July 4 fireworks show. For $2,000, Bunting, who works as a nanny, bought herself a house in the tree-lined Morningside neighborhood on Detroit’s east side. …
The United States needs a national water affordability law. Such legislation would require each state to have its own statute protecting access to water for low-income people and those below poverty level. To understand why such protection is necessary nationwide, consider the humanitarian and public health crisis in Detroit. …
I never considered myself a politically active type. In fact, I abhorred politics for three decades. But about 25 years ago, I realized that I couldn’t fight my personal health insurance issues without dealing with the many other human rights issues I’d heard people debate on C-Span …
I’m not that old—38—but I’m old enough to remember when no one talked about water bills in Detroit. I used to get bills every three months for $18 or $20. Those were the good old days. …
One early morning last week, I was groggily brushing my teeth when I realized the water pouring out of my faucet was yellow. Like urine.
I dry heaved. Spit the toothpaste out of my mouth. Wiped my tongue with a towel.
What was wrong with the water?! …
