DETROIT – New research is intensifying calls to stop water shutoffs in Detroit, and for the city to adopt a sensible water affordability plan.

A 100-page report released by faith leaders and academics suggests the aging water and sewer infrastructure, increasing bills, shutoffs and service interruptions experienced in Detroit could possibly play out in other Michigan communities, and across the country.

Jennifer Fassbender, a board member with Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation, contends it's simply immoral for people to live without water.

"It is terrifying to think that we are not the only city contending with this,” she states. “But it is most definitely people who are the poorest people who are not able to access clean, affordable water, which we can't survive without."

Detroit was recently ranked ninth nationally for water shutoffs, with more than 100,000 over the past four years.

Besides a moratorium on water shutoffs, the report also recommends a water affordability plan, and using an income-based rate structure, as well as state and federal support for measures to guarantee water access, quality and oversight.

The report was released by the group Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength (MOSES).

A University of Michigan study revealed Detroit residents pay 10 percent of their incomes on water each month, much higher than the 4.5 percent figure that the Environmental Protection Agency deems "unaffordable."

And Fassbender says it's too much for families struggling to get by.

"People in Detroit, while we're surrounded by 20 percent of the globe's fresh water, have some of the highest water bills in the country,” she points out. “So, our hope is that our new governor will hear the cries of the community and force the city to turn the water back on."

Fassbender notes questions have also been raised about the impact of the water system lease as part of Detroit's 2013 bankruptcy filing.

The research suggests the $50 million the Great Lakes Water Authority pays the city to run the water system isn't an accurate reflection of the system's value.

"Great Lakes Water Authority should be paying something like two-thirds more than they have been in this lease agreement.” Fassbender stresses. “So, this company is not even contributing anywhere near what they should to the people, the city, the system itself."

A Great Lakes Water Authority representative has told reporters the lease negotiations were extremely complex, and says there's no definitive evidence that the lease payment is artificially low.


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"Don't go into the water" is a warning Illinoisans may want to heed. A 2024 study released this week found all state-border beaches on Lake Michigan last year had evidence of contamination.

Findings from the Safe in Swimming report indicate these conditions could cause serious gastrointestinal and respiratory ailments. The data show bacteria levels were well above the EPA's "Beach Action Value" water quality standards. These guidelines help determine advisories and closures.

Emily Kowalski, outreach and engagement manager for the Environment Illinois Research and Education Center, explained the odds of exposure.

"One hundred percent of those beaches had potentially unsafe levels of fecal indicator bacteria at least one day in 2024, meaning that swimmers were potentially at risk," she said.

A water sample exceeding acceptable BAV standards increases the chances of a higher illness rate among swimmers. The study shows 71% of Great Lakes beaches had at least one potentially unsafe test day. Three beaches in Cook County had the highest degrees of dirty water - Winnetka Lloyd Park had the highest at 21. Glencoe Park and Montrose beaches had 14 days each.

The study identified runoff from paved streets and parking lots, and overflow from outdated, bacteria-encrusted sewage systems as harmful contributors. Livestock waste from concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, is another source.

Human contact with water tainted by manure could cause an E. coli infection. Kowalski suggested the environment could be one solution to interrupt the pathogen flow.

"Investing in nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, but also the repair needed in aging sewage systems nationally," she continued.

An estimated 57 million Americans experience nausea, diarrhea, ear and eye infections, and skin rashes after swimming in polluted waters. Kowalski adds the EPA estimates a price tag of $630 billion over 20 years will be needed to address sewage runoff and other wastewater problems nationwide.

Illinoisans can check the status of their favorite beach at Chicago Park District Beaches website.

Following last year's historic drought in Montana and hot temperatures early this spring, the Blackfoot River is running at roughly 25% of normal water levels.

Water rights have shifted some this year but experts said management will continue to be community-driven.

Clancy Jandreau, Blackfoot water steward for the nonprofit group Blackfoot Challenge, said the river's fish population declined in the late 1980s and early 90s, but there has also been a long history of restoration efforts. The new Blackfoot Drought Response Plan, updated in April, helps build on those efforts, Jandreau noted.

"We really wanted to more explicitly recognize that habitat restoration efforts that improve fisheries can in and of itself be a response to drought, as it builds resilient fisheries," Jandreau explained.

The new plan also incorporates deferred changes from the 2015 Montana Water Rights Compact, in which the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks became co-owners of a water right historically associated with hydropower production.

During a dry summer like this one, Jandreau pointed out the drought plan encourages a "shared sacrifice for shared benefit" model, in which irrigators, anglers and other water users voluntarily reduce their effects on the resource.

"Everybody's going to be seeking the refuge of the river over this summer," Jandreau added. "That includes humans and wildlife. So just doing their best to be aware of that and being responsible and ethical recreators this summer out there on the river."


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Because of drought and failing infrastructure, the state of Texas will run out of water by 2030, according to the Texas Water Development Board.

But two new pieces of legislation are on the books that are designed to address the state's water shortage.

Senate Bill 7 and House Joint Resolution 7 would allocate $20 billion for infrastructure improvements and new projects.

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said he's been trying to get lawmakers to address the state's water crisis for 10 years.

"We completely lost our sugar cane industry because - no water," said Miller. "We've brought it to light that Mexico is not paying their water bill with our treaty on the Rio Grande, so that was brought to light. We've got a drought over half the state of Texas."

An increase in population has also contributed to the state's water woes.

JR 7 would authorize the state to use $1 billion a year from sales tax revenue for the water projects. The resolution must be approved by voters in November.

If the amendment is approved, the projects and funds will be overseen by the Texas Water Development Board. Miller said in the meantime, the state needs to do a better job at managing the water it has.

"We spend millions and millions of dollars on stormwater drainage, getting rid of excess water when it rains," said Miller. "We need to capture that water and use it. We need to capture the water out of these water treatment plants. I'm not advocating that we drink it but, my farmers sure would like to irrigate with it."

Miller said the state can also benefit from rainwater harvesting. He added that up to 70% of the state's water is lost, as it's transported to various municipalities because of old, worn-out infrastructure.




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