Federal and state scientists confirmed initial environmental investigations at both U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City and Cherry Capital Airport showed high levels of PFAS contamination.
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EGLE reports progress as PFAS in drinking water rules near compliance milestone
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced that Michigan s new standards limiting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in public drinking water supplies are being met by most of the state s roughly 2,700 municipal and other large public drinking water systems less than a year after the standards were adopted.
Officially adopted by the state in August 2020, the new rules are among the most stringent and comprehensive PFAS standards in the nation and include provisions for reducing exposure to seven PFAS compounds in drinking water. The provisions include establishing drinking water standards, sampling requirements, public notification requirements and laboratory certification criteria.
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The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, or EGLE, tests groundwater at airports across Michigan.
They’re looking for residue of a firefighting foam that airports use to train with in case there’s an accident.
That foam contains PFAS, which can be dangerous to human health if they end up in drinking water.
In November, EGLE found evidence of PFAS at levels higher than quality standards at the Gogebic-Iron County airport.
“Because of testing at Gogebic airport, we want to make sure that there was no problem with either soil or groundwater at the airport,” Mike Jury, the EGLE site lead, said.
Congressman Fred Upton during a live WKZO debate on 9/28/20. (Photo by Jeana Gondek)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WKZO AM/FM) Tuesday, U.S. Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced bipartisan legislation that aims to protect all Americans and the environment from harmful forever chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
See Also – View the video announcement of this legislation on Facebook at this link.
The package establishes a national drinking water standard for select PFAS chemicals, designates as hazardous to allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up contaminated sites in Michigan and across the country, as well as list under the Clean Water Act, limits industrial discharges, and provides $200 million annually to assist water utilities and wastewater treatment.
Reps Upton, Dingell introduce bipartisan bill to combat PFAS
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and last updated 2021-04-13 18:56:57-04
WASHINGTON â Representatives Fred Upton (R-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) have presented a bipartisan bill in an effort to safeguard Americans against PFAS, according to Uptonâs office.
The legislation would establish a national drinking water standard for PFAS, classifies PFAS as hazardous enough to permit the Environmental Protection Agency to cleanse contaminated sites across the U.S., and places an industrial discharge limit.
Uptonâs office also says the bill aims to provide wastewater treatment and water utilities with $200 million each year.
âPFAS contamination represents a clear and present danger to Michigan families,â says Upton. âAnd, as Parchment made crystal clear, we need an all-hands-on-deck effort to protect both human health and our environment.â