Kristy Meyer

Every year on National Hydration Day, we’re reminded of something simple but essential: our bodies and our communities depend on water. Hydration keeps our hearts pumping, our minds sharp, and our bodies functioning. It fuels learning in our classrooms, productivity in our workplaces, and resilience in our neighborhoods. But for too many families, staying hydrated isn’t as simple as filling a glass at the tap. Many Michigan families lack reliable access to clean, safe, and affordable water....

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 infrastructure, and a...