“If we don’t think about this carefully, lifting the ban suddenly would be a disaster,” said SPUR Director of Sustainability and Resiliency Policy Laura Feinstein, who authored the report.
“I think everybody’s worst fear is that large numbers of low-income folks that have trouble paying their bills are going to get their water disconnected, because that means that there’s large numbers of people in the community who can’t wash their hands,” Feinstein said. “It also means they can get evicted from their apartments.”
In the long-run, mounting debt could also leave water utilities in dire financial straights without federal assistance, according to the report.
Berkeley Asphalt and Berkeley Ready Mix companies at 699 Virginia St. on Dec. 22, 2020. Photo: Pete Rosos
Northwest Berkeley residents who have been enduring periodic wafts of stinky, sulfurous fumes for the last several months might have relief on the horizon.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District received nearly 200 complaints about the sulfurous smell starting on Oct. 29, and on Dec. 8, filed a violation notice against LeHigh Hanson Berkeley Asphalt at 699 Virginia St, according to a document from the agency provided to Berkeleyside. In 2014, West Berkeley residents rallied at the facility to raise concerns over odors and noise, which they alleged had gotten much worse over the years.
42,000 gallons of gasoline leak under canal in Walnut Creek; residents furious
FacebookTwitterEmail
A
crew removes hazardous material from the flood control channel adjacent to the Iron Horse Trail on Wednesday.Paul Chinn / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
2of6
clean
up crew removes hazardous material from the flood control channel adjacent to the Iron Horse Trail just south of Ygnacio Valley Boulevard in Walnut Creek.Paul Chinn / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
3of6
4of6
A crew works in the canal adjacent to the Iron Horse Trail on Wednesday.Paul Chinn / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
5of6
A cleanup crew works to remove spilled gasoline in Walnut Creek.Paul Chinn / The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less