Michigan now has the strongest protections in the United States when it comes to lead in drinking water. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced a public awareness campaign surrounding new water sampling rules for lead under the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will work to implement new water sampling rules for lead while increasing communication to Michigan residents about how and why these testing changes are occurring to their drinking water. The testing changes now require that lead samples must be taken from both the first- and fifth-liter water draw. By testing that fifth liter of water, it shows lead results that might be farther upstream in the water supply that is coming into homes. In an effort to increase transparency and communication, EGLE and MDHHS have launched a new website, which provides up-to-date information on how Michiganders can protect themselves from lead.
