Michigan Advocates Push for Solutions to Ensure Affordable Water
This week, members of the Water Equals Life Coalition gathered in Lansing to talk with legislators about the Affordable Water Now legislative package. Conversations highlighted how rising water rates combined with the increasing cost of living are making it harder for residents to pay water bills.
Freshwater Future’s Executive Director, Jill Ryan, shared in news interviews that “Across the state, both rural and urban, we see water shutoffs,” and that access to water “… is a health problem that impacts all of us.”
Thank you to our partners for promoting solutions to ensure everyone has access to safe and affordable water.
Photo credit: Marissa Miller
Canada Water Agency Requests Feedback on National Freshwater Strategy
The Canada Water Agency is developing its first National Water Security Strategy and requesting input from residents. Please share your input to inform what the strategy should include. Freshwater Future developed suggestions that reflect long-term freshwater visions and priorities. The survey closes October 25, 2026. See our full talking points here.
New! Support Federal Wetlands & Streams Protections
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed another regulation that further guts the Clean Water Act and its critical streams and wetlands protections. This “supplemental” proposal would eliminate federal protections for most streams that do not flow year-round and wetlands. Loss of these protections will mean increased local flooding, less recreational opportunities, and increased environmental pollution. Your voice is needed, please join Freshwater Future to stand up for our freshwater resources. Public comment is open until Friday, October 9th, 2026 – send a personalized comment to the U.S. EPA today!
Upcoming Deadline! Funding Available for Your Water Work
Freshwater Future’s Fall Project Grants cycle is open until September 30th, and we are looking for grassroots advocacy projects that will make a permanent change throughout the Great Lakes! Your local community organization could receive up to $5,000 in funding to protect drinking water, shorelines, inland lakes, rivers, wetlands, and groundwater throughout the region. We encourage you to call us to discuss your project ideas to confirm eligibility and what counts as advocacy. Contact Lindsey at (231) 348-8200, ext 110, or Lindsey@freshwaterfuture.org with any questions.
Learn more about the application process, eligible projects, and more with these resources:
- Recording of the Sep 2nd Grants Q&A Webinar
- Read our RFP here
- Visit our Grants page
- Look over past projects to get a feel for what we are looking for
Upcoming Events
New! Year-End Fundraising
For many organizations, the last two months of the year are an effective time frame to fundraise. Join Freshwater Future on October 13th, at 12:00 pm ET, to learn simple ways to do end-of-year fundraising so you can boost your important water work. This online session will give you practical tips and tools to ask your supporters for donations. Register for this practical webinar today!
Relax with Mindfulness and Movement
Working to protect water is demanding. Join us for our Mindfulness & Movement session, a 45-minute guided session with Jonathan Relucio, to relax and restore. Can’t join? Registrants can access past session recordings here – contact alana@freshwaterfuture.org for the password. All sessions start at 10:30 am CT / 11:30 am ET.