Freshwater Future Weekly: October 27, 2023

Detroit’s Jefferson-Chalmers Neighborhood Set to Receive $11.2 from FEMA; Deadline November 13th: Your Voice is Needed to Improve Minnesota’s Water System Funding; Freshwater Future Has You Covered for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week; Success!! Freshwater Future Grantee Highlight: Meet the Wellington Water Watchers!
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Detroit’s Jefferson-Chalmers Neighborhood Set to Receive $11.2 from FEMA

Detroit’s Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood, known as the “Venice of Detroit” due to its canal system, faces challenges from recurrent flooding caused by heavy rains and overwhelmed sewer systems. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced federal funding to install new sewer mains, aiming to protect over 600 homes from flooding. The project, receiving $11.28 million from FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) national competition, will replace around 18,800 feet of combined sewer mains and improve the area’s drainage during heavy rainstorms. Hamtramck will also receive $9.35 million in federal funds to address basement and street-level flooding through the construction of new relief combined sewers.

The Jefferson-Chalmer WATER Project and the Manistique Community Treehouse Center are working with Freshwater Future to combat flooding in their community. They’re using the Flood Focus App to collect data about residents’ flooding issues. Their goal is to create clear reports and promote community-driven solutions to address these challenges. Through their efforts, they aim to bring meaningful changes to the community by accelerating effective solutions based on the collected data.

Deadline November 13th: Your Voice is Needed to Improve Minnesota’s Water System Funding! 

America’s water infrastructure is aging and failing.  The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund is an important resource to ensure that public drinking water remains safe, clean, accessible, and affordable. Yet if changes aren’t made to Minnesota’s program, this money may not reach the communities that need it most. You can help by taking action through Freshwater Future today. Right now, Minnesota has their annual plans open for public comment until November 13th – Submit comments for Minnesota today! 

Freshwater Future Has You Covered for National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week!

There is no safe level of lead at any age. Lead exposure is particularly dangerous for infants and children however, affecting their nervous system, brain, and organs. Yet, the people of the Great Lakes region struggle with lead in our drinking water, homes, and soils. In recognition of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (yes, every week is lead poisoning prevention week at Freshwater Future) we’ve gathered some resources to help you stay safe from lead at home and to take action! Want to advocate for a stronger federal rule for lead in drinking water? Sign Freshwater Future’s pledge to do just that!

Success!! Freshwater Future Grantee Highlight: Meet the Wellington Water Watchers!

Ontario’s Wellington Water Watchers has been a resource to grassroots leaders on the frontlines of water protection since 2007. Concerned about threats to drinking water sources from gravel mining, Wellington Water Watchers launched a public awareness campaign to create pressure for a moratorium on new permits to take water for aggregate operations until current regulations could be reviewed and improved to protect drinking water. With funding support from a Freshwater Future Project Grant, they helped other grassroots groups with communications materials, strategy support, and leadership development to push for the aggregate moratorium, with 20 municipalities adopting resolutions endorsing the moratorium. If you have updates on a past grant from us and would like a chance to be featured in the Weekly, please contact alana@freshwaterfuture.org.