Water Hub

**Seguido en Espa?ol** Clean water should make a community feel like home—not drive people away. Martin County is a place full of heart, but families are being pushed to the brink by a failing water system. High costs, unreliable service, and years of neglect have made it difficult for people to stay. Every community deserves safe, affordable water. This #WorldWaterDay, learn from voices like Madison in the upcoming #WECRCaucus documentary on their fight for water access. ________________ **Espa?ol** El agua limpia debe hacer que una comunidad se sienta como un hogar, no forzar a las personas a irse. El condado de Martin es un lugar lleno de corazón, pero las familias están al límite debido a un sistema de agua en crisis. Los altos costos, el servicio poco confiable y a?os de abandono han hecho que sea difícil para la gente permanecer. Toda comunidad merece agua segura y asequible. Este #DíaMundialDelAgua, escucha voces como la de Madison en el próximo documental del #WECRCaucus sobre su lucha por el acceso al agua.

Water shutoffs aren’t just numbers—each one represents a family living without the basic necessity of #SafeAffordableWater. In Martin County, KY, 35-50 households lose access every month because water is simply too expensive. Aging infrastructure and financial uncertainty have left residents paying more for less. When people can’t afford their water, it signals that the system isn’t working. Every community deserves reliable, affordable water. For #WorldWaterDay, listen to voices like Nina’s in the upcoming #WECRCaucus doc on water affordability:

Water shapes where we live, work, and build our futures. In places like Martin County, KY, residents are uncertain about building roots in a place with unreliable water. Rising costs, contamination, and aging infrastructure have made it almost impossible to stay in the county they call home. #SafeAffordableWater isn’t just a utility, it’s the foundation of strong, thriving communities. For #WorldWaterDay, learn from voices like Madison in the upcoming #WECRCaucus doc on their fight for water access. ??Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eNuJAg7f

A 65% cut to the Environmental Protection Agency would put the Great Lakes and the millions of people who rely on them at risk. From lead pipe replacements to pollution control, federal clean water programs keep communities safe and ecosystems healthy. The Great Lakes hold 22% of the world’s fresh surface water, and fuel a $6 trillion economy. But proposed cuts could gut critical programs like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which has helped clean up toxic pollution, restore wetlands, and protect drinking water for millions. ??Joel Brammeier, head of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, writes for the Chicago Sun-Times: https://lnkd.in/ej2Js-zG

Are you a person of color looking to build community and connection in the water space? ?? The #ColorOfWater network helps journalists, event organizers, and others find experts like you for interviews, speaking opportunities, and more. Join the network to connect with fellow water leaders of color who are navigating these challenging times with care, brilliance, and solidarity. Sign up and say hi: https://lnkd.in/e6seP7s8

Prioritizing watershed restoration and conservation, city leaders can ensure that?urban growth is water-resilient?and creates lasting benefits??????? #Watersheds are the natural area of land that drain into a common body of water. The consequences of their #degradation are threefold. Without tree cover and healthy soils to absorb rainfall, #cities may lose a critical source for groundwater recharge, leading to water shortages. Not only does the quantity of #water suffer, so does its quality. Without strong roots to protect and anchor the soil, sediment and the chemicals within it are washed into nearby water bodies, often the primary source for a city’s drinking water. That same runoff can turn into floodwater. Many cities that once depended on their watersheds for water now face both increasing scarcity and heightened vulnerability to #extremeweather. There are, however, #naturebasedsolutions to help alleviate these problems. Learn how watershed restoration efforts are starting to deliver positive results in 3 African cities?? https://lnkd.in/er_QgP3H #WorldWaterDay

This #WomensHistoryMonth, we celebrate Dr. Joy and Jo Banner, sisters, activists, and co-founders of The Descendants Project. The Banner sisters are dedicated to preserving and reclaiming the narratives of enslaved people, tracing their lineage back to Whitney Plantation, where Dr. Joy once served as Communications Director. Founded in 2020, The Descendants Project, partnered with Whitney Plantation, is committed to the intergenerational healing and flourishing of the Black descendant community in Louisiana’s river parishes. They also made history by becoming the first Black owners of Woodland Plantation in its 231 years. A force to be reckoned with, the Banner sisters are committed to preserving legacy and will be sure to leave their own. ??

After a two-month freeze, federal funding for #ColoradoRiver conservation appears to be moving again. Funding drawn from the #InflationReductionAct supports cities, farmers, and tribes by compensating them for leaving water in Lake Mead to help with long-term drought relief. For many grantees, the money hasn't arrived yet, creating uncertainty for communities with conservation commitments. Over $1 billion in conservation contracts remain in limbo. ?? Read more from Tony Davis for Arizona Daily Star: https://lnkd.in/eNk7nk4E

We were honored to collaborate with the National Lawyers Guild at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law during Black History Month to host an enlightening discussion featuring Monica Lewis-Patrick "The Water Warrior" and co-founder of We the People of Detroit (WPD), alongside Norrel Hemphill esq., the Legal and Policy Manager at WPD. We the People of Detroit was founded in 2008 and they are dedicated to community building and aim to inform and empower the public on imperative issues surrounding civil rights. The event shed light on the significant disparities in water access experienced by communities of color. Our speakers emphasized that water is an essential human right necessity and should be affordable regardless of income. They highlighted the importance of advocating for equity and justice for all, reminding us that we are all part of the same human infrastructure that affects one another, whether we recognize it or not. Their presentation was compelling!! We would like to extend our gratitude to Monica Lewis-Patrick and Norrel Hemphill for sharing their invaluable insights and inspiring and empowering us to continue the fight for water equity and justice.

What’s the difference between #misinformation and #disinformation? In this video, Philip Newell of Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD) Coalition explains: Misinformation = Being wrong Disinformation = Being wrong on purpose, often for money or politics Even well-meaning individuals can unknowingly repeat disinformation, especially when narratives originate from industry-backed sources without transparency. That’s why critical analysis and media literacy are essential when engaging with climate and water information. ?? Learn more about countering water & climate mis/disinformation in our roundtable recap: https://lnkd.in/gf5JXgBs ?? Grab the guide here: https://lnkd.in/gu5VBqXf ?? Watch the roundtable recording: https://lnkd.in/g4EE--ZH