Win! The Michigan Affordable Water Now Package Would Ensure Water Access
Water affordability advocates, including Freshwater Future and other members of the Water Equals Life Coalition, are celebrating the introduction of the full Affordable Water Now Legislative Package in the Michigan legislature. Sponsored by Representatives Emily Dievendorf (Lansing), Noah Arbit (West Bloomfield), Cynthia Neeley (Flint), Dylan Wegela (Garden City), and Jimmie Wilson (Ypsilanti), this package will give all Michigan residents access to safe, affordable water, without fear of shutoffs or unaffordable bills. Read our full press release here.
Win! Improved Clean Water Protections for Michigan’s Large Factory Farms
A new, stricter general permit for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) takes significant steps forward in protecting water quality from CAFO pollution. On Wednesday, the Director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Energy released the final updated permit. One of the important changes limits the application of manure on frozen fields during the winter months, when it is more likely that the waste will drain right to waterways.
“Residents across Michigan won a victory for cleaner and healthier waterways, drinking water, and recreation with this decision to protect us all from CAFO waste,” said Jill Ryan, Executive Director of Freshwater Future.
Over the last five years, Freshwater Future, along with several other environmental advocacy groups, including the Environmental Law and Policy Center, played a pivotal role in supporting EGLE’s ability to enact more stringent environmental regulations.
U.S. Non-Profits: Take Action and Review Your New GoFundMe Donation Page
In October, many non-profits were surprised to learn that GoFundMe had set up over 1.4 million donation pages on their behalf without permission or prior notice. A troubling feature of the unauthorized pages was the inclusion of a hefty tip for GoFundMe. After concerns were raised by non-profits nationwide, GoFundMe has since updated these pages to be opt-in only with a verification process. Freshwater Future recommends that non-profits review their organization’s GoFundMe pages as soon as possible. Check out our blog for additional guidance.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Continue the Practice Through Year’s End
Join us for our final two Mindfulness and Meditation Sessions of 2025. Mindfulness expert Jonathan Relucio will guide us through 45-minute sessions on
Learning these simple techniques can easily be used in your daily life to help recharge, refocus, and reduce stress. This FREE event is open to everyone—community leaders, family, friends, co-workers, and volunteers–so please share this with them! Reminder: you will need to register for each session separately.
Freshwater Future’s Statement on the Recent Private Water Utility Mega-Merger
Two of the largest for-profit water utility corporations announced a merger this week. If corporate stakeholders and state public utility commissions approve the deal, it could worsen water affordability and access for nearly 20 millions residents across the community systems they’ve acquired. Unlike publicly-owned utilities, for-profit utilities need to make a profit for shareholders. This means upping water rates to include that profit. Private water utilities often pass their taxes on to their customers’ bills, increasing rates even more. It is more important than ever for communities to stand up to the threat of corporate water system take-overs. Freshwater Future will continue working to keep water systems as public resources, protect local oversight, and keep rates as low as possible.
Take Actions: Together, Our Voices Make a Difference
