From lead contamination to PFAS, Michigan residents face ongoing threats to safe drinking water. Our reporting follows the science, policy decisions, and local advocates working to protect this essential resource.
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EPA investigates Detroit drinking water expert’s petition signature: Are scientists being silenced?
Two scientists removed from EPA advisory roles say their dismissal reflects an anti-science political climate, after signing a letter protesting federal research funding cuts.
Planet Detroit’s Reporting
EPA’s fluoride review fast-tracked: What does it mean for your water?
The EPA is fast-tracking a fluoride review after a report tied high levels to lower IQs in children, amid public doubts about water fluoridation. The agency’s role is limited to setting fluoride’s maximum contaminant level.
Michigan drinking water expert ousted from EPA council: A warning to whistleblowers?
The dismissal of Elin Betanzo from the National Drinking Water Advisory Council by the EPA has sparked concerns about retaliation against those advocating for science-based policies. Her removal follows a seven-month investigation into her signing of a letter criticizing Trump-era environmental rollbacks, highlighting the challenges faced by experts prioritizing community health and transparency.
Detroit’s water assistance program: Why are eligible households not signing up?
Detroit’s Lifeline H2O program struggles with low enrollment, leaving many residents burdened by water debt. Advocates call for policy changes to include households with existing debt, highlighting the financial strain on vulnerable communities.
What to know about freezing pipes in Metro Detroit
As Metro Detroit faces prolonged cold, plumbers report a rise in frozen and burst pipes, urging homeowners to act. Insulating exposed pipes and letting faucets drip overnight can prevent costly damage.
‘Erosion of trust’: Michigan legislators push back on flood of data center proposals
Legislation unlikely to advance without ballot measure to rein in DTE and Consumers’ influence over the political process, environmental advocate says.
York Township residents sound alarm about proliferation of data centers in Washtenaw County
Township residents press for a data center moratorium following an informal proposal for a 1 gigawatt facility.
How to check if your Michigan water system is replacing lead pipes
Michigan’s ambitious plan to replace 580,030 lead and galvanized lines is underway, yet many residents remain in the dark about their water safety. The Michigan Lead Service Line Tracker empowers communities to monitor progress and safeguard against lead exposure.
Whitmer joins Democratic governors calling on EPA to monitor microplastics in drinking water
Microplastics have been found in every ecosystem on the planet as well as in food, beverages and in human and animal tissue
Wyandotte officials vote against restoring fluoride to drinking water: ‘I have my reasons why’
Wyandotte drinking water has not been treated with fluoride in a decade, which the state flagged in an April report that found “significant deficiencies” in the city’s drinking water system.
Great Lakes, Medicare, Head Start: How federal shutdown impacts Michigan
The ongoing federal shutdown is disrupting essential services in Michigan, such as Great Lakes research and EPA water quality oversight.
Detroit water affordability program shrinks as funding dwindles: What you need to know
Detroit’s water affordability program, once a lifeline for nearly 30,000 households, faces a funding shortfall, prompting a shift to a costlier plan that will aid fewer residents.
Debate over fluoride in drinking water turns raucous in Michigan
After decades of fluoridating drinking water to improve public health, some communities are wavering on the practice. In one Michigan county, the medical director is mirroring Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts against fluoridation.
Residents, dentists urge Wyandotte commission to restore water fluoridation
Wyandotte officials to decide on the future of water fluoridation a decade after dropping the additive with little public notice.
Michigan budget bills dial back GOP environmental cuts as shutdown deadline approaches
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to decide on budget legislation that would cut funding for Michigan’s environmental regulator by 7%, down from a proposed 19% cut, and protects health care and transit funding.
Government shutdown paralyzes EPA protection of air, water, land
A scientific study of pollution from about 200 coal-fired power plants during the 2018-2019 government shutdown found they “significantly increased their particulate matter emissions due to the EPA’s furlough.”
With RFK Jr. in power, officials waver on fluoride in drinking water: ‘It just seems like we’re going backwards in time’
Drinking water fluoridation is widely heralded as a public health triumph, but it’s had critics since it was pioneered 80 years ago in Grand Rapids.
What we’re reading: Will ratepayers foot $6 billion bill for Trump’s coal crusade?
As the Line 5 public comment period draws to a close, a Michigan geologist raises safety concerns around rock quality under the Great Lakes.
Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins says she’ll work for city’s most vulnerable
Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins talks environmental impact, utility affordability, public transit, public health, ICE, the Office of Sustainability, and the tree canopy with Planet Detroit.
GLWA work creates confusion over discolored Detroit drinking water
Detroiters on the lower east side and downtown experienced temporary water discoloration due to valve operations at the Water Works Park treatment plant. While the water remained safe to drink, not all residents in the affected area of the city were notified.
GLWA raises $280 million for water, sewer projects with bond sale
Fitch Ratings upgrades the Great Lakes Water Authority’s sewer bonds alongside new bond deal.
What we’re reading: Drinking water runs yellow from some Detroit faucets
Severe storms left over 33,000 without power in Southeast Michigan Tuesday. DTE Energy names Joi Harris as its first female CEO.
EPA budget cuts represent ‘serious hit’ to Michigan water infrastructure: EGLE’s Phil Roos
EPA’s proposed budget threatens to slash Michigan’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds by 90%, putting vital water infrastructure projects at risk and potentially increasing utility costs in disadvantaged communities.
Wyandotte to craft fluoride plan 10 years after removing it from drinking water
Wyandotte says in response to state environmental regulator that it will create a fluoride plan by October. The city discontinued drinking water fluoridation in 2015.
VOICES: Michigan must expand filter access to protect public health
In Michigan, efforts to replace lead pipes must prioritize access to tap water filters, write the Plastic Pollution Coalition’s Sofia Johansson and the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan’s Victoria Patton.
Wyandotte cut fluoride from its water. Here’s what residents should know.
Drinking water that lacks fluoride requires more vigilance from parents and other residents to safeguard oral health, expert says.
Wyandotte water system problems pose ‘immediate health risk’: State regulator
State survey raises concerns about Wyandotte’s ability to protect water customers from BASF pollution and other contaminants, water expert says.
VOICES: Michigan is the first state to require water filters in schools. Let’s make sure it’s done right.
Michigan leads the nation by mandating lead-removing filters in school drinking water, empowering families to scrutinize their school’s Drinking Water Management Plan.
EPA weakens PFAS limits in drinking water: Detroit water expert says rollback defies federal law
The EPA’s plan to weaken limits on certain PFAS, or forever chemicals, in drinking water raises concerns about health risks.
Funding slashed for Great Lakes research: Will algal blooms go unchecked?
Great Lakes scientists are sounding the alarm as the Trump administration imposes deep cuts on environmental research, threatening public safety from toxic algal blooms.
BASF Detroit River pollution: Environmental regulators discuss remedy for contaminated groundwater
Environmental advocates are calling for urgent action as regulators outline plans to curb pollution from BASF’s Wyandotte facility, which discharges 60 gallons of contaminated groundwater into the Detroit River every minute.
Highland Park residents face boil water advisories as city replaces century-old pipes
Highland Park resident Runae Ford said the latest boil water advisory couldn’t have come at a worse time: the end of the month. “At least do something about our water bill,” she says. “We’re paying for something we cannot use.”
St. Clair River oil spill doesn’t threaten Michigan, officials say
An oil spill on the St. Clair River from Suncor Energy’s Ontario facility was swiftly contained, officials say.
Michigan regulators request BASF’s plan to halt Detroit River pollution: Letter
Michigan regulators give BASF 60 days to produce a plan to stop contaminated groundwater from its Wyandotte chemical plant from polluting the Detroit River.
What we’re reading: DWSD proposes 3.5% rate hike
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department proposes a 3.5% rate hike, citing inflation and rising costs. Meanwhile, southwest Detroit residents affected by the Feb. 17 water main break must file damage claims by April 3 to seek reimbursement.
Regulators have authority to stop BASF from polluting the Detroit River within months, experts say
Environmental groups oppose using taxpayer money to safeguard Wyandotte’s water without more action from polluter BASF.
GOP fights federal lead mandate as new Michigan rules expose more communities at risk
Several Michigan water systems exceeded the previous lead limit of 15 ppb in 2024, with more communities nearing the new 12 ppb standard, while Republican lawmakers aim to repeal Biden’s lead regulations.
BASF pollution: Environmental groups secure public health assessment for Wyandotte
State and federal authorities will assess the impacts of BASF’s ongoing pollution on air, water and soil.
EPA says BASF’s ongoing pollution could delay Detroit River cleanup
Michigan looks to get $700 million to clean up contaminated sediment in the Detroit River, but decades of unchecked pollution from BASF’s Wyandotte facility could stand in the way.
Complaint alleges Michigan regulators ‘aided and abetted’ BASF’s criminal water pollution in Wyandotte for decades
A state employee has filed a complaint with the Michigan Attorney General’s office, alleging state regulators failed to stop BASF from releasing toxic chemicals into the Detroit River from its Wyandotte facility over five decades.
PFAS detected in Metro Detroit’s water supplies
PFAS contaminants found in 59 southeast Michigan water systems may exceed new federal guidelines, with cleanup costs potentially substantial.
Contaminated water likely not poisoning city, officials claim
State and federal officials noted plans are in motion to rein in the estimated 72,000 gallons per day of contaminated wastewater flowing into the Detroit River upstream of Wyandotte’s drinking water intake.
Regulators fail for 43 years to stop BASF from ‘staggering’ daily toxic waste spill into Detroit River
The pollution enters the river just upstream from the City of Wyandotte’s drinking water intake.