Michigan could become the first state to get rid of lead pipes for drinking water thanks to new regulations that are stricter than the federal standards for the toxic metal.
Gov. Rick Snyder (R) pushed the rewriting of the rules in the wake of the water crisis in Flint, where city residents were exposed to higher levels of lead in 2014 after state and local officials bungled enforcement of federal regulations.
Under Safe Drinking Water Act rules, cities are supposed to monitor lead levels in water samples taken from kitchen faucets, and states are supposed to make sure they do it. Michigan failed in that responsibility, which Snyder admitted after independent testing in 2015 revealed elevated lead levels in Flint’s water and in its children’s blood.
The Environmental Protection Agency knew about the problem before then, but didn’t take action against the city under the federal Lead and Copper Rule because that’s how lax the rule is. The EPA has been working on an updated version of the rule for years. Current Administrator Scott Pruitt has delayed the process further.
“As a state, we could no longer afford to wait on needed changes at the federal level, […]
Full article: Michigan Not Waiting Around For EPA To Fix Weak Rules On Lead In Drinking Water
More about Flint, Michigan and water:
State puts Flint on notice for not fixing water system deficiencies
Flint Activist LeeAnne Walters Wins Major Environmental Prize
11-Year-Old Just Developed New Sensor to Detect Lead in Tap Water
Federal Judge Orders All Parties In Flint Water Case Into Mediation
Flint Water Investigation Leads to Felony Charges for Michigan State Employees
Study: Fewer pregnancies, more fetal deaths in Flint after lead levels rose in water
Local sorority raises $20,000 to help Flint’s water crisis
