Win! Community Action Pays Off as Water Bottler Exits Ontario
Water Watchers, an environmental organization in Ontario, succeeded in their fight against private water bottling operations after nearly two decades. The corporate water company will cease all Ontario-based bottling operations by February 2025. Freshwater Future has supported the Water Watchers with five grants and recognized the group in 2016 as a Freshwater Hero. Mark Goldberg, founder of Water Watchers observed, “This is a monumental win in our community’s journey for water justice. Tireless efforts of so many committed volunteers over the past 18 years have led to this outcome.” Freshwater Future is excited to celebrate this victory!
All Eyes on Syracuse, NY: High Lead in Drinking Water, Low Accountability
In Syracuse, New York, residents called on city officials to declare a state of emergency over lead levels in drinking water this week. In July, Syracuse reported extremely high levels of lead results from routine sampling, 70 parts per billion. No amount of lead is safe in drinking water. After discovering improper testing methods were used for collecting water samples, the city suspended two water department employees and conducted a second round of sampling. Now, the city is reporting much lower levels of lead, and saying the water is safe. The confusion and lack of transparency about the lead testing has many residents distrusting the safety of their drinking water. Freshwater Future stands with the residents of Syracuse and calls for transparency and accountability from the City to ensure that drinking water is safe from lead and residents are able to trust their tap.
Your Voice is Needed! Improve Equity in Minnesota’s Drinking Water Fund
Water utilities face many challenges to keep Minnesota’s drinking water safe, clean, and affordable. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program is Minnesota’s major funding mechanism to help water utilities afford critical water infrastructure projects. The program is outdated and requires improvements to ensure limited federal funds reach the communities with the most need. The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority is taking public comment on its annual plan to fund projects across the state. Add your voice to Freshwater Future’s suggested recommendations and submit by Monday, November 18th.
