This is bad. The State House is considering a bill that could force many municipalities to sell off their public water systems. But if we get loud, we can stop it before it reaches the State House floor.

Here’s what’s happening – Senate Bill 597 would put expensive, burdensome requirements on public water systems without any financial support. When those public water systems can’t meet the new requirements, utility managers are likely to turn to privatization.

It’s probably no surprise that private water companies are pushing hard for this bill because they stand to make millions if it passes.

We know that when we join forces, our public goods can remain public! We just saw it happen with the defeat of an attempt to privatize a water system in Bucks County. We can win this fight, but we need every single person raising your voice.

This is the time for all of us to stand up for public water systems and against opening the door to widespread privatization. We all have a right to clean, affordable drinking water, and this bill would jack up rates for Pennsylvanians in countless communities.

Tell your legislator that you oppose the privatization of our public water systems and that this bill cannot go further.

Imposing strict guidelines for public water systems without financial support could raise the cost for ratepayers while putting PA at risk of losing crucial federal funding that would help update these systems and maintain water quality. Worst of all, when public water utilities become privatized, the public loses the ability to hold those companies accountable. There’s nothing to stop private companies from ignoring problems with water quality and hiking up prices.

This bill is nothing but a move to privatize your access to water – and if we all speak out, there’s a much better chance that we can stop it. Urge your legislator not to let Senate Bill 597 go to the House floor for a vote by leadership.

Thanks for all that you do.

Katie Blume
Political Director
Conservation Voters of PA