Millions in US at risk of 'water shutoffs' amid layoffs triggered by pandemic

Two-fifths of Americans rely on water utilities which have not suspended the policy of shutoffs for non-payment

Millions of Americans risk losing running water if they fall behind with bill payments in coming months, as mass layoffs triggered by the coronavirus pandemic force families to make impossible tradeoffs on paying household expenses.

Around two-fifths of the country rely on water utilities which have not suspended the policy of shutoffs for non-payment, despite public health warnings that good hygiene - specifically frequent hand washing - is crucial to preventing spread of the highly contagious virus, according to data analysed by Food and Water Watch (FWW) and the Guardian.