(Image source from: The Eagle)

Michigan:
Rick Synder, Governor of Michigan’s administration is close to its windup of country’s rigorous drinking water rules for lead, a plan that would outcome in the substitution of 500,000 lead service pipes in Michigan despite opposition from municipalities and utilities.

In the consequence of Flint water crisis, the proposed lead and copper rules was first announced in 2016 and formally unveiled in 2017, will take effect unless a legislative committee objects by June.

Lawmakers are improbable to interfere after successfully nudging the State Department of Environmental Quality to scale back parts of the proposal that could cost $2.5 billion over decades.

The rules would forbid the partial replacement of lead service pipes excluding emergency mend. Additional changes are planned to confirm if  corrosion control is working and better educate public about lead in water and ensure samples are taken at the higher-risk sites methods designed to accurately detect lead.

"We don't believe the current lead and copper rule is protective enough or as protective as we thought it was," said Eric Oswald, director of the state's Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance Division.

"We're actually very pleased with the administration working with us and making some of the changes," said the chairman, Republican Sen. Jim Stamas of Midland.

He further acknowledged that local governments concern about costs but said they would have years to prepare to keep our citizens safe.

By Sowmya Sangam