When people think about water affordability challenges, the conversation often centers on large cities like Detroit or Flint. But the reality in Michigan is broader and more complex. Water affordability is a statewide issue affecting urban, suburban, and rural communities alike.

Every Earth Day, we look to the horizon, celebrating electric vehicle mandates, solar power breakthroughs, and ambitious net-zero pledges. But this year, as we gaze at the sky, millions of Americans are being forced to think about something far closer to home: the simple act of turning on a faucet. Accessible and affordable water issues are Earth Day issues, too. This quiet crisis is getting louder in Michigan. Surrounded by 20% of the world's fresh surface water, the Great L

People who work in the water sector around the world recently celebrated World Water Day. A day when water researchers, advocates, and suppliers recognize the importance of access to water in everyday life. And yet, we know families in every corner of the world, across the United States, and throughout Michigan struggle to access this essential, lifesaving resource. The conversation about affordability is happening in homes across the country. Families are feeling the pressur

For years, communities across the country have relied on water assistance programs to help families keep the tap running, but assistance alone has never solved the deeper problem of unaffordable water for struggling families. Nowhere is this more evident than in Detroit. Even with the launch of Lifeline in August 2022, a well-intentioned effort designed to stabilize households facing shutoffs, thousands of families still struggled under the weight of rising bills, aging infra