Water

Water shutoffs has been a major issue in Detroit, and the next round is expected to come in April.  Low-income residents are being dramatically impacted by the inability to meet the rising cost of water.  Is access to water a right?  Or, is it a privilege?  In this month's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Lisa Wozniak of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters explore the answers to those questions.  Monica Lewis-Patrick is co-founder, president, and CEO of "We the People of Detroit."  She'll explain the organization's efforts to win water justice in the city and around the state and country.

The Detroit Zoo says it will running 100% on renewable energy in 2020.  The effort adds to other sustainability efforts that have made the zoo a leader in environmental stewardship.  In this 'Issues of the Environment' conversation with 89.1 WEMU's David Fair, Detroit Zoological Society CEO Ronald Kagen covers what environmentally-friendly features exist, what is to come, and how the zoo is spreading its message to all who will listen. 

The Michigan Department of Quality's decision to grant Nestle a permit to increase large-scale water withdrawals continues to generate controversy. The MDEQ will now allow Nestle to withdraw 400-gallons of groundwater per minute for its 'Ice Mountain' bottled water brand.  That's up from the 250-gallons per minute previously allowed.  Democrat Rebekah Warren says it's the wrong decision and conversations on remedies need to continue.

Through the course of this week, Governor Rick Snyder has released some ambitious plans for environmental policy for his final year in office.  WEMU’s David Fair caught up with James Clift, Policy Director of the Michigan Environmental Council, to discuss the plans and whether any of it will actually make it into policy. 

Governor Rick Snyder has called for an assessment on water bills to help pay for fixing pipes and other infrastructure.  A plan rolled out Thursday would add a dollar every year to most water bills for five years.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has spent $2 million so far in the criminal investigation into the Flint water crisis.