In Newton, Kansas, local leaders are actively examining a plan to halt water service shutoffs for residents who cannot pay their bills—an emergency move triggered by the ongoing federal government shutdown and the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food aid.
With many households facing mounting pressures, this potential pause on disconnections comes as a sign of relief—but also underlines how fragile utility access has become during economic uncertainty.
What Newton Is Considering
City officials say they will vote soon on whether to suspend water disconnections for delinquent accounts until the federal and state budgets stabilize.
As the city manager, Daniela Rivas, explained: “We are very aware of the struggle and the economic hardship that our residents are going through right now.”…