This week: Water Service Update During COVID-19 + New Law Mandates Indiana Schools Test for Lead Contamination + Lakes Levels Still Breaking Records + Does Your Organization Qualify for CARES Act Help?
Water Service Update During COVID-19
The pandemic revealed the importance of water access and the harmful impacts of water shutoffs. Here are a few highlights of progress and challenges from this week:
A letter was sent to Gov. Cuomo of New York for a moratorium on shut-offs and water restorations.
Wisconsin cities are working on restoring water and getting information out about flushing practices.
Water service restoration is occurring, unfortunately at a very slow pace. More reporting is needed on numbers of residents without water and numbers being restored weekly.
Access to clean water is a basic human right and Freshwater Future will continue to work to turn water on and keep water on for residents and make water affordable during and after the pandemic.
New Law Mandates Indiana Schools Test for Lead Contamination
Lead poisoning in children has irreversible effects and for some legislators, that’s starting to sink in. By 2023 a new Indiana state law requires schools’ drinking water systems to be tested. Hoosier Environmental Council expresses their appreciation to the legislature(s) for actively reducing the sources of lead exposed to children.
Lakes Levels Still Breaking Records
Even after a relatively mild winter Great Lake water levels remain high. While all Great Lakes are surpassing last year’s levels. Lakes Michigan and Huron and Lake Erie are breaking all-time records. Lakes Michigan and Huron are an incredible 14 inches higher than last year.
Does Your Organization Qualify for CARES Act Help?
The recently passed Federal CARES Act provides relief for businesses and nonprofits from economic impacts of the coronavirus. Freshwater Future can help you determine if you qualify for these programs. If you are interested in receiving our assistance please email stephanie@freshwaterfuture.org.
