“This accident points to the urgency for changing how we regulate the transport of toxic materials and petroleum products on, over and around our precious water resources. Our valuable waters, such as the Ohio River and the Great Lakes, must be better protected from the threats to the safety of our drinking water from transporting hazardous chemicals.”

There is currently a recommendation that is to be voted on in January to tax property owners throughout the watershed without a clear long-term plan for how to use the proposed new tax revenue to return the lake to health.

Toxic Tour Highlights How Industrial Pollution and Forever Chemicals Threaten Public Health

As the CWA turns 50 years old on October 18th, 2022, we are reflecting on the landmark law and looking towards a future with strong protections for our waters.

Many Michigan state representatives and civil servants seek one-size fits all solutions, like regionalization, to address the growing challenges of aging infrastructure, water quality, and affordability. However, the injustices created by regional entities such as GLWA have caused Michigan water advocates to demand a different way forward.

Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) adopted new health advisories for four specific types of PFAS. The new health advisories are 17,500 times lower for PFOA and 3,500 times lower for PFOS than the U.S. EPA health advisories established in 2016.