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Bayou City City Waterkeeper Launches Justice in the Sewers Hub

Two years have passed since a federal judge in Houston approved a landmark agreement requiring the City of Houston to invest $2 billion in local sanitary sewer upgrades over 15 years. The negotiated settlement, known as a consent decree, resulted from a federal enforcement action prompted by Bayou City Waterkeeper’s investigation in 2018. Our analysis of the City of Houston data identified over 9,300 sewage overflows that potentially violated the Clean Water Act and had disproportionate effects on lower-wealth, Black, and brown communities across Houston. The agreement requires the City to meet strict timelines to eliminate releases of untreated sewage into local neighborhoods, parks, and bayous. The City must also pay penalties for ongoing releases in the meantime.

To commemorate the first two years of the consent decree, and understand the on-the-ground effects of this once-in-a-generation investment, we have launched resources and tools in April available on our new Justice in the Sewers Hub webpage.

 

Explore Elements of Our New Justice in the Sewers Hub

Learn more about the on-the-ground effects of this once-in-a-generation $2 billion investment, and how it impacts clean water for our region.

How We Got Here: Consent Decree Background 

Learn more on the background and progress of the consent decree, how various neighborhoods are experiencing sewage problems, and how much the City has paid in penalities. 

Storymap:  Houston's Infrastructure 

Trace the history of our sewer systems in relationship to redlining and intentional infrastructure disinvestment. Visualize infrastructure justice and a water justice heat map. Co-created by Spatial Studies Lab at Rice University.

Video Timeline of Sewage Disinvestment

The City of Houston's sewer problems began with our founding. Watch this video timeline that unravels sewage investment and disinvestment since Houston's founding in 1836.

Reflections on the Consent Decree

Read community leaders reflections on the impact of the consent decree and additional work needed toward clean water for the  City of Houston. 

 

Understanding the City's Annual Report

The City of Houston's annual report focuses on progress with milestones like manhole inspections and capacity assessment. Our analysis shows that sewage pollution continues to unfairly burden low-income and Black and brown communities.

Explore the Data with Video Explainer 

Watch this video explainer  as a step-by-step guide on how to use the Justice in the Sewers Map to identify patterns of sewage overflows and visually compare them to demographic and income-based data. 

Community Action Guide 

Know who to call when reporting sewage smells and back-ups, what public representatives to contact, and how to get media coverage.

Understanding Your Sewage System

Learn the parts of your sewer system and who to contact when faced with sewage smells or backups in your neighborhood or home.

 

Water Bill Assistance Guide

Need help with your water bill, getting your landlord to fix a problem with your sewers, or getting the city to reimburse you for a sewage problem they caused? Check out our Water Bill Assistance Guide. 

Legal Resource Guide 

You may need to talk to a lawyer if your landlord won't repair a sewage problem. Our Legal Guide provides a list of organizations that may offer free legal help.

Glossary

Are jargon or acronyms getting in the way of fixing your sewers or drains? Get some clarity with this glossary created by our partners at West Street Recovery and Northeast Action Collective.

Key Media Coverage

Read key articles in the media about Houston sewage problems, the consent decree, and sewage justice across the Lower Galveston Bay watershed.

 

Mission: Bayou City Waterkeeper protects the waters and people of greater Houston through bold legal action, community science, and creative, grassroots policy to further justice, health, and safety for our region.

 

Vision: Bayou City Waterkeeper envisions a Houston where water is a catalyst for change. By connecting community, place, policies, and systems we collaboratively advance equitable distributions of power and resources towards life, joy, and regeneration for our watershed.

 
 

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