Draft rules limiting PFAS in Michigan drinking water were approved by the state’s Environmental Rules Review Committee (ERRC) late last week.

PFAS are a group of emerging and potentially harmful contaminants used in thousands of applications globally including firefighting foam, food packaging and many other consumer products.

According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) the proposed rules will amend current rules to provide provisions that reduce exposure to seven PFAS compounds in drinking water. Approximately 2,700 water supplies in Michigan will be covered under the new rules. Once finalized, the rules would establish drinking water standards, sampling requirements, public notification requirements and laboratory certification criteria. 

“Governor Whitmer has made clean drinking water for all Michiganders a top priority in this administration and EGLE would like to thank the members of the ERRC for moving these important drinking water standards forward,” Liesl Clark, director of EGLE said. “The ERRC represents both environmental and business stakeholders and today’s vote shows there is broad support for rules that protect Michiganders from contaminants in their drinking water.”

The draft rules were initially presented to the ERRC last fall which led the committee to move forward with a public hearing process.

During the public comment period in December, CMF’s Public Policy Committee passed a resolution recommending the adoption of standards to protect and improve the health of people and their communities against exposure to PFAS contaminants. As a result, CMF staff responded to the state’s requests for public comment on PFAS standards.

CMF’s letter on behalf of our membership stated in part, “We believe that appropriate drinking water standards coupled with timely and accurate public notification, as well as the focus on long-term solutions to address water contaminants, will go a long way in supporting the health and well-being of Michigan’s residents and our environment. As partners, we will continue to raise awareness about the negative environmental consequences and public health effects of PFAS.”

Later this month, the Green and Blue Network (GBN), a CMF affinity group, is hosting a learning opportunity for funders to hear from our state’s senior leaders about the most pressing environmental and public health concerns, including PFAS.

“Liesl Clark, director of EGLE will provide the latest in the state’s battle to get ahead of the growing PFAS crisis. She will be one of many speakers, including representatives from MDARD, MDNR, Michigan Environmental Council, the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition and the Nature Conservancy at the Green and Blue Network’s meeting. We invite all CMF members to join us in this discussion,” Tim Eder, co-chair of GBN and program officer, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation said.

CMF will continue to work with the GBN to identify learning opportunities for CMF members on the impact of PFAS.

The draft rules now move forward in the rulemaking process for review by the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules and then on to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

 The final rules could be in place as early as April.

Want more?

Join the conversation with GBN and other CMF members at the Green and Blue Network Convening on March 25 in East Lansing.