Freshwater Future Weekly: January 14, 2022
THIS WEEK: You Are Invited: All About Water Symposium, Securing Federal Infrastructure Dollars + Personal and Organizational Wellness Online Series 2022 + Ontario government plans to build new highways through provincial Greenbelt + You May Be Eligible for Financial Assistance for Your Water Bill
You Are Invited: All About Water Symposium, Securing Federal Infrastructure Dollars
Freshwater Future and All About Water invite you to join experts, peer groups and municipal officials to learn about federal dollars that will be coming to states for water infrastructure projects, and how your municipality can benefit. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure funding through State Revolving Funds that are provided by Congress to help replace lead lines, update water and wastewater treatment plants, utilize green infrastructure to prevent or reduce flooding and more. SAVE THE DATE! February 17th, 10:30 am – noon EST. Registration information will be in next week’s Weekly.
Personal and Organizational Wellness Online Series 2022
Water Watchers & Wellness is a FREE program designed to support individuals and organizations working to protect and restore water. This free online forum series is designed to help connect you to others doing similar work, provide you with expert and peer conversations about issues of importance to you, and offer one-on-one consulting assistance to help you speed past the bumps in the road we all experience in building, organizing and conducting our water work. Monthly forums are scheduled on the 4th Thursday of every month beginning January 27th, 2022, from 11:30am-1pm ET. Register today!
Ontario Government Plans to Build New Highways Through Provincial Greenbelt
Planning for two new highways, Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, is underway. While the provincial government claims that the highways are needed to reduce commute times through the Greater Toronto Area, conservation organizations and many local communities (including Toronto, Markham, and Vaughan) are opposed to the proposed highways. The proposed routes are through the Greenbelt and will have potential impacts on fish and wildlife habitat, water quality and will increase greenhouse gas emissions. The provincial environmental assessment process has been streamlined, and there are concerns that environmental issues are not being adequately considered and addressed. Additionally, there have been concerns with the consultation process. The federal Impact Assessment Agency of Canada will be reviewing the process and deciding whether a full federal impact assessment is required.
You May Be Eligible for Financial Assistance for Your Water Bill
Are you or someone you know struggling to pay their water bill? You may be eligible to receive financial assistance. Most states are providing assistance to prevent water shut offs during COVID-19. Water is a human right, and water utility bills have in some cases skyrocketed, so we want to be sure residents have easy access to the programs that may be able to help. Visit our list of assistance programs available in Great Lakes states and Cities.