September 26, 2017

Detroit’s Water System Is Falling Apart. Your City Could Be Next.

In just five years, 35 percent of America might not be able to afford to wash, drink, or bathe.

This story was originally published by Grist, and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.

In 2014, United Nations officials sharply criticized Detroit’s practice of shutting off water for residents who couldn’t pay their bills. This year, more than 18,000 residents have been at risk of losing their access. How did Detroit get here? Watch the video above to find out and hear the stories of Detroit residents.

More Mother Jones reporting on Climate Desk

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A full one-third of our annual fundraising comes in this month alone. That’s risky, because a strong December means our newsroom is on the beat and reporting at full strength—but a weak one means budget cuts and hard choices ahead.

The December 31 deadline is closing in fast. To reach our $400,000 goal, we need readers who’ve never given before to join the ranks of MoJo donors. And we need our steadfast supporters to give again—any amount today.

Managing an independent, nonprofit newsroom is staggeringly hard. There’s no cushion in our budget—no backup revenue, no corporate safety net. We can’t afford to fall short, and we can’t rely on corporations or deep-pocketed interests to fund the fierce, investigative journalism Mother Jones exists to do.

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