Freshwater Future Weekly: October 15, 2021

Freshwater Future Weekly: October 15, 2021

THIS WEEK: Learn About Federal Funding for Infrastructure: October 20 and November 17 + Benton Harbor, MI Draws National Media Attention for Lead Contamination + John Oliver Show Features Impacts of PFAS + Detroit Residents Please Consider Completing This Survey!


Learn About Federal Funding for Infrastructure: October 20 and November 17

Join us next Wednesday, October 20 for the first session of the 2021 All About Water convenings. Don’t miss out on these interactive events, register today. Please share with others that may be interested in these events.


Benton Harbor, MI Draws National Media Attention for Lead Contamination

After three years, the city of Benton Harbor remains out of compliance with state and federal Lead and Copper Rules (LCR). Since high lead levels were found in 2018, the Benton Harbor Community Water Council has been instrumental in collecting compliance samples required of the City, distributing bottled water and filters to residents, and providing education and advocacy for the community about the lead issue. A petition to the EPA asking for intervention to address the problem is receiving national media attention.  The Director of the Michigan’s Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy department stated that there have been improvements in corrosion control and “in general improvement overall.”  Freshwater Future will be reaching out to review the data.  Governor Whitmer announced additional support this week for Benton Harbor residents to access bottled water, filters, and prepared baby formula.


John Oliver Show Features Impacts of PFAS

Last week, the HBO late night show “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” featured the toxic chemicals called PFAS.  The 19-minute segment provides a humorous but insightful summary of the complexity of the issue, including the need to regulate PFAS as a family of chemicals, instead of one by one, which has been the current approach of states.

Warning: Offensive language is used in the HBO segment of Late Night with John Oliver.  For adults only.


Detroit Residents Please Consider Completing This Survey!

The Center for Water Security and Cooperation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring law and practice guarantee equitable access to water and sanitation, is conducting a survey to better understand the challenges households face in maintaining access to water. The results from this survey will be used to advance more equitable access to water in Detroit and other communities. This data is critical to raising awareness of the experience low-income households face in maintaining access to water, and this will be highlighted prominently in the report. To help provide information, you can take the survey here. If you’d prefer to speak with someone directly, click here to provide your name and contact information.