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Water's True Cost

As the nation prepares to pour hundreds of billions of federal dollars into rescuing water systems, the Great Lakes News Collaborative investigates the true cost of water in the Great Lakes region and beyond

Throughout the Great Lakes region and across the U.S., water systems are aging.

In some communities, this means water bills that residents can’t afford or water that’s unsafe to drink. It means that vulnerable systems are even more at risk in a changing climate. From shrinking cities and small towns to the comparatively thriving suburbs, the true cost of water has been deferred for decades. As the nation prepares to pour hundreds of billions of federal dollars into rescuing water systems, the Great Lakes News Collaborative investigates the true cost of water in the Great Lakes region and beyond.

Drinking WaterEvents and Special BroadcastsFeature HomepageGreat Lakes Now Events and Road/River ShowsInfrastructureLatest NewsNewsWater Quality and Restoration EffortsWater's True Costs Events
Join the Conversations: Events on “Water’s True Cost” will answer your questions about water infrastructure
- by GLN Editor

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BudgetCharles Stewart Mott Foundation PartnershipEquity and Environmental JusticeFeature HomepageInfrastructureLatest NewsMichiganMunicipalitiesNewsPolicyPolitics, Policy, Environmental JusticeWater Quality and Restoration EffortsWater's True Cost
Water’s True Cost
- by Circle of Blue

The quality of Michigan’s water infrastructure and the consequences of failure, while still real and apparent, are no longer being ignored.

Andrew ReevesBudgetCharles Stewart Mott Foundation PartnershipDrinking WaterFeature HomepageInfrastructureLatest NewsNewsOntarioPolitics, Policy, Environmental JusticeThe ProvincesTribal Governments and First NationsU.S. and Canadian Federal GovernmentsWater Quality and Restoration EffortsWater's True Cost
Ontario faces uneven investment in water infrastructure
- by Andrew Reeves

While much-needed money is being directed to aging drinking water infrastructure, stormwater and sewer systems have been neglected.

Andrew ReevesBudgetCharles Stewart Mott Foundation PartnershipDrinking WaterEquity and Environmental JusticeFeature HomepageInfrastructureLake ErieLake OntarioLake St. ClairLake SuperiorLatest NewsNewsOntarioPolicyPolitics, Policy, Environmental JusticeScience, Technology, ResearchThe ProvincesTorontoU.S. and Canadian Federal GovernmentsWater Quality and Restoration EffortsWater's True Cost
Even in Canada, where water prices are low, aging infrastructure and rising costs are a problem
- by Andrew Reeves

Water, while still overall affordable in Canada compared to other countries, is growing more expensive as the cost of neglecting infrastructure for decades comes due.

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation PartnershipDrinking WaterFeature HomepageInfrastructureLatest NewsMichiganMunicipalitiesNatasha BlakelyNewsPFASPolicyPolitics, Policy, Environmental JusticeThe StatesU.S. and Canadian Federal GovernmentsWater Quality and Restoration EffortsWater's True Cost
Five fixes for Michigan’s drinking water woes
- by Great Lakes Now, Michigan Radio, Bridge Michigan, and Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative asked state and national experts how Michigan could break the cycle of underfunding and poor decision-making that has left water systems across Michigan in sorry shape.

BudgetCharles Stewart Mott Foundation PartnershipDrinking WaterIndustry, Energy, Economic DevelopmentInfrastructureLatest NewsMichiganNewsPolicyPolitics, Policy, Environmental JusticeProtectU.S. and Canadian Federal GovernmentsWater Quality and Restoration EffortsWater's True Cost
Michigan’s ‘Very Big Opportunity’ in Infrastructure Windfall
- by Circle of Blue

More communities gain access to the largest federal infusion in a half century.

BudgetCharles Stewart Mott Foundation PartnershipDrinking WaterEquity and Environmental JusticeFeature HomepageIndustry, Energy, Economic DevelopmentInfrastructureLatest NewsMichiganMunicipalitiesNewsPolicyPolitics, Policy, Environmental JusticeThe StatesU.S. and Canadian Federal GovernmentsWater Quality and Restoration EffortsWater's True Cost
Some Michigan water systems are overbuilt, underfunded. Are mergers the answer?
- by Bridge Michigan

Customers get cheaper, cleaner water when communities share the cost of infrastructure. But Michigan’s experience shows how political conflicts and logistical challenges can complicate the math.

AdvocacyBudgetCharles Stewart Mott Foundation PartnershipDetroitDrinking WaterEquity and Environmental JusticeFeature DetroitFeature HomepageLatest NewsMichiganNewsPolitics, Policy, Environmental JusticeWater Quality and Restoration EffortsWater's True Cost
High Cost of Water Hits Home
- by Circle of Blue

Rising rates hurt Michigan’s poorest residents.

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation PartnershipDrinking WaterFeature HomepageIndustry, Energy, Economic DevelopmentInfrastructureLatest NewsMichiganMunicipalitiesNewsPolicyPolitics, Policy, Environmental JusticeWater Quality and Restoration EffortsWater's True Cost
Short-changing Michigan local governments has resulted in deteriorating water systems and other services
- by Michigan Radio

Many of Michigan’s cities are reaching a crisis point because of a decline in federal dollars for water and sewer infrastructure made worse by the state’s centralized taxing system.

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