Recently, the U.S. Congress passed a pandemic relief bill, that contains a number of water utility related provisions. Known as the American Rescue Plan of 2021, the bill includes $500 million to states and tribes to provide assistance to residents for water utility bills and a large sum of cash to the states to use […]
Read MoreHelping Others Make a Difference. I grew up on the Great South Bay on Long Island, New York, surrounded by beautiful wetlands. I still have memories of the bullrushes swaying in the ocean breeze on warm summer evenings. My family never took the area wetlands for granted, though; I knew how fragile they were even […]
Read MoreThis week: PFAS Released at Airport in Pellston, Michigan + Chicago Water Supply is Expanding to Joliet and Residents Will Be Paying For It +The Poster Child For Wetland Destruction + Board Spotlight – Stephanie Smith + Freshwater Future Grant Program Webinar on February 25th–Mark Your Calendar PFAS Released at Airport in Pellston, Michigan A […]
Read MoreWhat Doesn’t Happen at Scientific Meetings (But Should) Stephanie Smith, Freshwater Future’s Board Chair, talks about her recent collaborative work with scientists and groups in the African Great Lakes region. (Photo: Stephanie pictured with her family at Murchison Falls in Uganda.) I looked out at the expanse of 90+ scientists from 17 different countries, most […]
Read MoreFor Immediate Release January 28, 2021 Contact: Jill Ryan, Executive Director (231) 348-8200 Jill@freshwaterfuture.org Petoskey, MI – Today Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Debbie Dingell re-introduced the Emergency Water is a Human Right bill. The legislation prohibits any public utility receiving federal funds authorized under the act from turning off energy and water services to Americans […]
Read MoreDirector’s Note Jill M. Ryan, Executive Director Cambridge English Dictionary defines affordability as: the state of being cheap enough for people to be able to buy. When we talk about the affordability of water, we have to start with the question, who is the customer, in order to determine what amount would be affordable for […]
Read MoreFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 18, 2020 Media Contact: Jill Ryan, Executive Director, Freshwater Future, jill@freshwaterfuture.org , (231)348-8200 ext. 2 (Communities across Michigan)– The Michigan Legislature passed legislation yesterday that prohibits water utilities from shutting off water to residents due to non-payment. The legislation, spearheaded by Senator Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), also requires the restoration of […]
Read MoreMEDIA STATEMENT – Monica Lewis-Patrick, President and CEO, We the People of Detroit – It has been a long time coming, but We the People of Detroit is pleased that Mayor Mike Duggan is taking a step in the right direction with his announcement today regarding the creation of a water affordability plan on behalf […]
Read MoreMichigan’s Blackman Charter Township officials announced on November 17, 2020 that the water system is not in compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule. This means homes can experience high lead levels in their water. Because lead is a highly toxic metal, it is important to take steps to reduce lead if you live in […]
Read More“Our destiny is not written for us, it’s written by us” — Barack Obama Thanks to many, the vision for a trusted lab where residents could have their water tested for free by Flint residents and provide educational opportunities for youth in the sciences and technology is now a reality. We are humbled and honored […]
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