Water is the foundation of human health, economic vitality, and democratic society. Water is not a commodity, it is a human right. And the systems we’ve built to deliver that right are extraordinary — and under strain.
Adapted from a keynote speech delivered by Flow executive director Liz Kirkwood to the 2026 Great Lakes Drinking Water Conference hosted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), this document explores the history of drinking water systems, the threats now facing them, and how we can ensure safe, clean drinking water for all.
