FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2026
Lansing, Mich. — Today in the Michigan Senate, Sen. Sam Singh (D-28) introduced legislation to address Michigan’s persistent, underfunded water infrastructure needs and support safe, affordable drinking water for all Michigan residents.
The Michigan Water Trust Fund Act (SB 950 & 951) would raise approximately $300 million annually by imposing a 25-cent per gallon royalty to be paid by bottled water companies that extract and sell Michigan’s public water resources.
“We live in the heart of the world’s largest freshwater system, and yet too many of our neighbors are without clean, safe, affordable water,” said Sen. Singh. “And widespread flooding last month exposed the perilous condition of many of our dams, bridges, and stormwater systems. Michigan’s water infrastructure needs are serious, urgent, and underfunded. This legislation creates a durable, equitable mechanism to support infrastructure improvements throughout the state, without raising taxes or water rates.”
The legislation also ensures that the waters of the Great Lakes and their tributary rivers and streams remain in the public domain, and defines the “waters of the state” broadly to include groundwater, in recognition that all waters are part of the interconnected hydrologic cycle.
The fund is modeled after Michigan’s successful Natural Resources Trust Fund. Established 50 years ago, the NRTF has directed more than $1 billion in revenues from oil and gas drilling on state land to acquire public parks and recreational land across every county in the state. Polling conducted by Lake Research Partners indicates that 71 percent of Michiganders would support companies paying a royalty on Michigan water bottled for commercial sale.
Urban and rural communities alike face many challenges related to Michigan’s aging water infrastructure, including lead pipes, contaminated well water, failing septic systems, stormwater runoff, and unaffordable water bills. Recent widespread flooding further exposed the perilous condition of many of our dams, bridges, and drainage systems.
Michigan’s annual water infrastructure needs total approximately $1 billion, and many municipalities struggle to maintain systems that have been degraded by decades of underinvestment. The Michigan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2023 Report Card gives Michigan a lackluster “C-” for its drinking water infrastructure. Despite this critical need, the Trump administration’s proposed 2027 budget would reduce federal support to state clean water and drinking water state revolving funds (SRFs) by 90 percent.
Flow Water Advocates applauds Sen. Singh for leading this important effort to protect Michigan’s public trust waters and promote fairness by shifting the costs of water infrastructure from Michigan taxpayers to the private corporations that extract and sell Michigan’s public water for great profit.
The Michigan Water Trust Fund Act is based in part on legislation developed by Flow and its coalition partners, including Clean Water Action, Friends of the St. Clair River, Huron River Watershed Council, Michigan Lakes and Streams Association, Michigan Resource Stewards, and Oakland County Resource Commission.
“Michigan’s waters are held in trust by the state, which has a duty to protect them for use and enjoyment by the people of Michigan. This important legislation reaffirms public trust protections for our waters,” said Liz Kirkwood, Flow executive director. “When bottled water companies pay their fair share, we can help ensure that every Michigander has clean, affordable water.”
To learn more about the Michigan Water Trust Fund Act, visit FlowWaterAdvocates.org/MWTFA.
