What 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 MoreIs Lead in Your Drinking Water? When you turn on the faucet to get a drink of water, the last thing you want to worry about is whether the water is safe to drink. Because lead and other toxic chemicals like PFAS can’t be detected by appearance or taste, testing water is the only way […]
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 MorePer- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) can be found just about everywhere these days. Some of the first products that used PFAS were non-stick cookware. PFAS can now be found in such items as clothes and shoes, carpets, couches, food wrappers, fire fighting foam and so much more. It also is found in our air, soil, […]
Read MoreThere are an estimated 6.1 to 9.3 million lead service lines – pipes carrying drinking water – across the country. Ohio is second in the nation for lead service lines at an estimated 650,000 lead service lines carrying water to families’ homes, second only to IL. While it is unclear how much money it will […]
Read MoreProtecting our children and family from lead based products go back as far as we can remember. In 1978, the use of lead based paint was banned inside buildings. During those times, great harm was discovered when the paint began to crack and chip, due to the bumping and rubbing against walls and window sills. […]
Read MoreFor years, Junction Coalition, a Toledo Community Organization, has partnered with Freshwater Future to tackle water related issues such as: lead service lines, harmful algae blooms (HABS), water disconnection, and many more water-related disparities that directly and indirectly impact minority and low-socioeconomic communities the most. Now, these groups and others are partnering to tackle lead […]
Read MoreWater affordability is a growing problem in the United States. Researchers have estimated that within the coming few years, approximately 33% of the U.S. population will have water bills that are not affordable. When determining whether water is affordable, water rates are compared to household income. The United Nations for example, has determined that bills […]
Read MoreFreshwater Future Applauds WaterLegacy As They Continue To Tell PolyMet “No!” Freshwater Future applauds WaterLegacy as they continue to defend Minnesota water quality standards from industry rollbacks to protect the environment and people within the community from a controversial mine project. WaterLegacy has developed a cohort of partners from indigenious tribes and food gatherers to […]
Read More