LANSING — State Rep. Henry Yanez (D-Sterling Heights) introduced House Resolution 285 declaring March 22 as World Water Day in Michigan, and joined other states and nations in expressing commitment to the availability of pure water in Michigan, the United States and the world. “Clean water is a human right. Michigan families deserve to have clean water flowing though the taps in their homes and clean, safe water available in their schools and workplaces,” said Yanez. “Yet across the state, from lead in Flint to PFAS near Grand Rapids to a dioxane plume in Ann Arbor, our families’ health and security have been put at risk. We are surrounded by the Great Lakes and we call our state Pure Michigan; it’s time was act on that and do whatever is necessary to make our water safe, hold bad actors accountable, and protect our families and the state economy.” The Great Lakes make up one-fifth of the world’s fresh water supply, and are the source of drinking water for about 40 million people. In Michigan, more than 525,000 jobs are directly connected to the Great Lakes through sport and commercial fishing and shipping, to name just a few. World Water Day has been celebrated on March 22 every year since 1993 when it was first celebrated by the United Nations. It is a day to recognize the importance of clean water as a human right, that clean water is integral to the global economy and international security, and to express support for the nearly 1.5 billion laborers around the world who work in water-related sectors.
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