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Michigan Lawmakers Take Steps to Close Nestlé’s Bottled Water Loophole and Protect Our Waters for Future Generations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from People’s Water Board Coalition Dec. 5, 2019 Contact: Lynna Kaucheck, People’s Water Board Coalition, lkaucheck@gmail.com, (586) 556-8805 Michigan Lawmakers Take Steps to Close Nestlé’s Bottled Water Loophole and Protect Our Waters for Future Generations Michigan Waters, Protected for the People by the People, Not for Greedy Corporations MICHIGAN – Today, over 10 years after the passage of the Great Lakes Water Compact and supporting state legislation, Michigan lawmakers have introduced bills to close Nestlé’s bottled water loophole to ensure that Michigan’s precious water resources are protected from greedy corporate interests for future generations. “Our lawmakers failed us when they allowed Nestlé to recklessly pump Michigan’s groundwater and ship it out of the Great Lakes basin,” said Peggy Case, president of Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation. “Today, we are one step closer to seeing that dangerous loophole closed and to protecting Michigan’s waters from corporations seeking to profit from our water resources.” The legislation introduced today by Representatives Yousef Rahbi, Laurie Pohutsky and Rachel Hood would amend Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by closing a dangerous loophole that allows the bottled water industry to ship water outside of the Great Lakes basin – something that is prohibited by the Great Lakes Compact – as long as it’s in 5.7 gallon containers or smaller. The bills would also amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to hold Michigan’s waters in public trust, enshrining in state statute that the waters of the state belong to everyone and no one, and that they are to be preserved as a public commons for all. “As Michiganders, we sit in the center of 20 percent of the world’s available, fresh surface water,” said Liz Kirkwood executive director of FLOW. “It is our collective responsibility to protect this resource from companies like Nestlé who seek to profit from a resource that belongs to current and future generations. Ensuring that the waters of the state are held in public trust finally affords the waters of the state the protections they deserve.” Michigan’s waters have faced numerous threats over the years. As water scarcity becomes an increasing problem across the globe, Michigan sits in the center of a very big target. It is our responsibility as Michigan residents and stewards of this resource to make sure that it is protected for all Michiganders to use and enjoy in perpetuity, free from privatization, commodification and corporate greed. “We applaud Representatives Rahbi, Pohustky and Hood for recognizing that Michigan’s water should be held up not as a commodity, but as a resource that we have a responsibility to one another to protect,” said Sister Mary Ellen Howard of the People’s Water Board Coalition. “Water is a basic human right, and all people should have access to safe, affordable drinking water. The corporations that seek to own and profit from our water threaten that human right. The legislation introduced today makes it clear: Michigan’s water is not for sale!” ### PDF Version

December Days of Action!

Across Metro Detroit, thousands of residents continue to live without access to affordable, clean water and some will even face water shutoffs over the holidays. This also means families with steam radiators are not able to heat their homes. In this season of giving and celebration, please participate in these efforts to secure a moratorium on water shutoffs and the human right to water. Stop the Water Shutoffs! Contact the Mayor’s office all month long to demand the City place a moratorium on water shutoffs during the holiday and winter season. Call: 313-224-3400 Email: EmailMayorDuggan@DetroitMI.gov Tweet: @MayorMikeDuggan The 24th Annual Evening of Sacred Song Benefit Concert Saturday, December 7, 2019 @ 7pm First Unitarian Universalist Congregation / 4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Join the People’s Water Board and Flint Rising at this fundraiser holiday concert hosted by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. Suggested donation $20 in advance; $25 at the door. All are welcome regardless of ability to pay. Tickets available here. End of Year Celebration Potluck and Light Brigade: “Water Is a Human Right” action on the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights Day Tuesday, December 10, 2019 @ 5:00-7:30 pm Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, 23 E. Adams St. Detroit, MI 48203 (at Central United Methodist Church), park in Elizabeth St lot. Join the People’s Water Board at our end of year celebration. It begins with the Detroit Light Brigade at 5pm to display “Water is a Human Right” on the streets of Detroit in honor of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Day.

DJJ Inaugural Myra Wolfgang Awards Evening

Invite DJJ Wolfgang Dinner

Join us for DJJ’s Inaugural Myra Wolfgang Awards Evening Thursday, September 19th, 6 – 9PM NextEnergy 461 Burroughs, Detroit DJJ is establishing the Wolfgang Awards to honor those who have shown principled tenacity in pursuit of justice. Thank you for joining us for this evening and for the long haul. We can do so much more with your generous support and belief in our work. More at: https://www.detroitjewsforjustice.org/wolfgang Facebook Event

Bridge Michigan: Detroit shut off water to 11,800 homes this year. Most are still off.

“Occupants of more than 5,300 Detroit homes – more than every house and apartment in the suburb of Grosse Pointe Park – went without running water for one week or more during one of the hotter summers on record. “City of Detroit records obtained by Bridge Magazine show that 7,310 of 11,801 homes disconnected for nonpayment since April remained without water as of Aug. 1. Of those homes, a vast majority, 5,354, are believed to be occupied.  “That’s up significantly from last fall, when 71 percent of disconnected homes had been restored over roughly the same period. And the numbers would appear to contradict long-standingassurances from Detroit leaders that service is back on for the overwhelming majority of residents within 48 hours after disconnections for nonpayment. more at: https://www.bridgemi.com/detroit/detroit-shut-water-11800-homes-year-most-are-still How to get help with Detroit water payments and avoid shutoffs

Community Water Day in Lansing on legislation

On Wed, March 20th, People’s Water Board gathered in Lansing to meet with Michigan legislators on new and reintroduced water bills. At 11:30am we held a press conference with State Senator Stephanie Chang who will formally introduce four co-sponsored bills tomorrow. They are: Short Title / prior # Long description Potential Sponsor Decriminalization HB 4389/4390 Decriminalizes the act of re-connecting water service (because of a shut-off due to inability to pay) from a five year felony to a civil infraction for a first or second offense and a misdemeanor for the third offense. Irwin/Wojno Affordability HB 4394   Addresses the water rate structure that unduly burdens low income residents by amending the social welfare act to create a residential water affordability program within DHHS in order to ensure that water bills are based on household income. Alexander Billing Procedures/Disputes Similar to HB 4712 Allows some customers, who have not received a water bill by ten days after the end of the billing period, to no longer be responsible for paying that bill if s/he contacted the department in writing twice and the department did not respond within 30 days. Hollier Shut Off Protection HB 4393 Institutes water shut-off protections for seniors, families with minor children, and those who are disabled, and provides for clearer notices and a process for potential shutoffs. Creates a low-income water assistance fund similar to the vulnerable household warmth fund. Intended to mirror the statute Michigan has for utility shut-off protections. Chang We will be sharing more information soon about how these bills (and others) can help address water crisis issues in communities across the state, and advance the human right to water in Michigan.