The Center for Social Solutions is committed to establishing concrete solutions for our four initiatives. While these issues are relevant across the entire nation and in all corners of the world, it is also useful to examine their local presence in a specific location. Doing so can help us to better grasp the fact that no community is immune to these problems, and provide clarity when assessing the larger-scale version of these issues.

Today’s focus is the water, equity and security initiative and its themes. To learn more about the effects and implications of water issues in Michigan, take a look at the resources below.

 

Read 

“Divided Michigan Supreme Court allows Flint water crisis suit to proceed” by Craig Mauger, The Detroit News

A class action lawsuit against former Michigan governor Rick Snyder and other state departments, alleging that the state government knew Flint River water was toxic before authorizing its use for residents, has been allowed to proceed by the state’s Supreme Court.

 

“Toilet to table: Michigan farmers feed crops with ‘toxic brew’ of human and industrial waste” by Tom Perkins, Detroit Metro Times

Sewage waste is often used as a fertilizer for crops in Michigan, but many are calling for a ban to this practice after recent environmental reports have noted harmful levels of pathogens and pollutants in these fertilizers which are already banned in several other states.

 

“Record-high Michigan water levels are a nightmare for homeowners, state” by by Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press

As Great Lakes waters reach record-high levels this summer, homes and streets across the state continue to be severely flooded, causing millions of dollars in property and infrastructure damage and prompting many to permanently leave their homes.

 

“New PFAS rules set to take effect Aug. 3, among nation’s strictest” by Beth LeBlanc and Melissa Nann Burke, The Detroit News

New drinking water regulations to contain the prevalence of PFAS, a group of long-lasting industrial and household chemicals with negative health effects, have been passed in Michigan including guidelines for water sampling, treatment, and the release of public health advisories.

 

Watch 

Great Lakes Now | Water Damage by Detroit Public TV (2020)

This episode of Great Lakes Now addresses key water-related concerns in the state of Michigan including how large-scale farming is contributing to annual toxic algal blooms in Lake Erie, the after effects of the Midland county dam failures, and the damage caused by changing Great Lakes water levels.

Watch on DPTV

 

Listen 

“10 Years After The Kalamazoo River Oil Spill” by Rebecca Williams, Michigan Radio (2020)

One of the worst oil spills into an inland waterway in the U.S. happened ten years ago on the Kalamazoo River in Michigan. This podcast episode explores the causes of the Kalamazoo River oil spill and the measures that have been taken since then to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Listen on NPR, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts