What: Water Affordability & Safety Hearing

Who: Convened by Representatives Sheldon Neeley and Stephanie Chang and joined by other members of the Michigan legislature

When: Wednesday, June 3, 2015, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Where: Room 426, Capitol Building, 100 Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933

Representatives Chang and Neeley, along with their Detroit and Flint colleagues in the Michigan legislature, invite community organizations and residents across Michigan to come and testify about issues related to water affordability and safety.

Since January 1, 2013, over 53,000 Detroiters had their water and sewerage abruptly terminated. Around 15,000 homes were not restored to service. There is financial assistance available, but a large number of residents (what is the number) on payment plans are behind on their payments. Last year, the United Nations Human Rights Council visited Detroit to intervene in Detroit’s water crisis, and the Lyda et al v City of Detroit lawsuit, brought by ten Detroit families experiencing water shutoffs, brought national attention to the crisis. We invite residents to participate and share testimony about the affordability, public health, constitutional and human rights aspects of Detroit’s water crisis as well as potential solutions.

In April 2014, the City of Flint switched from the Detroit water system to its own system using the Flint River. Residents discovered that the water they were using in their homes had a strange smell, taste, and appearance. Last year, high e-­‐coli levels forced boil-­‐water advisories, and then residents experienced skin rashes and hair loss. (What else should be added here) We invite residents to participate and share testimony about the safety, public health, and human rights aspects of Flint’s water crisis as well as potential solutions.