Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Practical solutions for improving rural communities
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Bloomberg: Suez Starts ‘Social’ Water Rates in Northern French City

Posted Wed, 2012/09/12 - 3:36pm by RCAP

RCAP finds this concept very interesting. We know it would probably never be accepted in the United States, but it's an interesting thing to ponder nevertheless.

Suez Environnement (SEV), the second- biggest waste and water utility, will begin charging residents of the northern French city of Dunkirk variable water rates that depend on income, size of household and usage.

Former RCAP staffer: Minorities pay more for water and sewer, according to study

Posted Tue, 2011/12/06 - 1:45pm by RCAP

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Racial minorities pay systemically more for basic water and sewer services than white people, according to a study by Michigan State University researchers.

This “structural inequality” is not necessarily a product of racism, argues sociologist Stephen Gasteyer, but rather the result of whites fleeing urban areas and leaving minority residents to bear the costs of maintaining aging water and sewer infrastructure.