Water Pollution In Michigan: Is It A Concern?

Michigan is surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, and is home to over 11,000 inland lakes, 63 major watersheds, and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams. With such an abundance of water, water pollution is a pressing issue in the state. From microplastic pollution, contaminated drinking water, PFAS contamination, and more, Michigan faces a multitude of challenges in maintaining water quality. The Flint water crisis, which lasted from 2014 to 2019, is a notable example of water pollution in Michigan, where residents were exposed to elevated levels of lead and Legionella bacteria in their drinking water.

The Flint water crisis

Michigan is surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes and is home to over 11,000 inland lakes, 63 major watersheds, and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams. However, the state has faced several water pollution issues, including the Flint water crisis.

Later studies revealed that the contaminated water contributed to elevated blood lead levels in the city's children, putting their health at risk. Lead exposure can cause long-term health effects, including reduced intellectual functioning and IQ, increased issues with mental and physical health, and a higher chance of developing Alzheimer's disease. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission concluded that the poor governmental response to the crisis was a result of systemic racism.

In the face of government inaction, Flint residents took action. In early 2016, a coalition of citizens and groups sued the city and state officials to secure safe drinking water. In March 2016, Flint began a program to replace lead and galvanized-steel service lines connecting city water mains to local homes. An extensive lead service pipe replacement effort has been underway since 2016, and as of July 2021, 10,059 lead pipes had been replaced.

In January 2021, former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and eight other officials were charged with 41 counts, including felony and misdemeanour charges, for their role in the crisis. In October 2023, the attorney general's office ended criminal prosecutions, and none of the individuals in power faced criminal penalties. However, residents have been successful in civil lawsuits, including a settlement of $641 million for the victims of the water crisis.

Failing septic systems

Michigan is surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, with 11,000 inland lakes, 63 major watersheds, and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams. With so much water, there are many water pollution problems, including microplastic pollution, contaminated drinking water, PFAS contamination, and failing septic systems.

Septic systems are a common form of onsite sewage treatment in rural Michigan communities, homes surrounding lakes, and some suburban communities. Household wastewater is sent to a large tank, where anaerobic bacteria break it down before allowing the water to flow out of the system into a drain field for further filtration by the soil. However, failing septic systems can lead to E. coli and other pathogens entering Michigan's waterways. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (DEGLE) estimates that there are 130,000 failing systems currently operating in Michigan.

Signs of a failing septic system include slow or non-functioning drains, sewage backing up into the home, wet and soggy areas above or near the drain field, and odors near the tank or drain field. If a septic system fails, it can release untreated sewage into the environment, posing risks to human and animal health. Routine maintenance and quick response to any signs of failure can help prevent costly repairs and negative impacts on the environment and health.

The average lifespan of a septic system is about 20 years, and replacing a failed system can cost between $5,000 and $20,000. Proper maintenance of septic systems is crucial to maintaining water quality in Michigan and protecting the health of its residents.

Microplastics and other pollutants

Michigan is home to the Great Lakes—Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Erie—which make up the largest body of fresh water on Earth, accounting for one-fifth (or 20%) of the freshwater surface on the planet. However, with that much water, there are several water pollution problems in Michigan. One of the key issues is microplastic pollution.

Microplastics are pieces of plastic no larger than 5 mm in size, or about the size of a pencil eraser. They have been found throughout the Great Lakes, in oceans, and even in tap and bottled water, sea salt, and other products we eat and drink. Microplastics can take many forms, including beads, fragments, pellets, film, foam, and fibers. They are created when larger plastic items break down over time, or they can be intentionally manufactured, as in microbeads and pellets. A study of microplastics on 37 National Park beaches found microfibers at every site, making up 97% of the microplastic debris.

Zooplankton, fish, mussels, and birds in the Great Lakes have been found to ingest microplastics, mistaking the debris for their natural food. Microplastics can both attract and carry pollutants already in the water and release chemicals added to plastics to make them colorful, flexible, or flame-resistant. Lab studies have shown that microplastics may impact animals by delaying their development, causing problems with reproduction, and making it difficult for them to fight off diseases. While more research is needed to understand the full impact of microplastics on wildlife and the food chain, efforts to address this issue are underway at regional, national, and international levels.

In addition to microplastics, other pollutants also threaten Michigan's water quality. Failing septic systems, for example, can lead to fecal contamination of water sources by bacteria such as E. coli. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (DEGLE) estimates that there are 130,000 failing septic systems in the state. Furthermore, combined sewer systems in some municipalities can result in the discharge of untreated water into local lakes, rivers, and streams during heavy rainfall. This polluted water can contain bacteria, chemicals, and other contaminants harmful to the environment and public health.

Agricultural runoff, manufacturing facility pollution, and improper waste disposal are other sources of water contamination in Michigan. These human activities can introduce chemicals and other pollutants into water sources, impacting both surface water and groundwater. Inadequate treatment and testing of drinking water have also led to health issues for residents, as seen in the Flint water crisis, where lead contamination resulted in skin rashes, hair loss, and elevated blood lead levels, particularly in children.

Lead contamination

Michigan is surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, and is home to over 11,000 inland lakes, 63 major watersheds, and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams. With such an abundance of water, water pollution is a significant issue in the state. One of the most notable cases of water pollution in Michigan is the Flint water crisis, which began in April 2014 when the city switched its drinking water supply from Detroit's system to the Flint River to save costs. This change resulted in lead contamination of the water supply, affecting thousands of residents.

The Flint water crisis is a well-known example of lead contamination in Michigan. Soon after the switch to Flint River water, residents began complaining about the water's foul smell, discolouration, and odd taste. Many people experienced skin rashes, hair loss, and itchy skin. Despite these complaints, government officials dismissed claims that the water was harmful. It was later discovered that the water supplied to Flint residents contained toxic levels of lead, which leached from aging pipes into thousands of homes.

The decision to switch the water supply was made by an emergency manager appointed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. This manager was tasked with overseeing and reducing city expenses. However, the river water was highly corrosive, and officials failed to treat it properly, leading to the lead contamination crisis. The Flint Water Advisory Task Force found the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Governor's office, and the state-appointed emergency managers "fundamentally accountable" for the crisis.

The consequences of the lead contamination in Flint were severe. Studies revealed that the contaminated water contributed to a significant increase in the incidence of elevated blood lead levels, especially in children. This led to various health issues and put the youngest generation at risk. In response to the crisis, the city of Flint took several measures, including adding orthophosphate to the water to rebuild pipe lining and replacing lead service lines. Additionally, the state of Michigan provided funding to address the issue, and the Flint Lead Exposure Registry was established to support the community in limiting lead exposure and monitoring health.

To summarise, lead contamination in Michigan, specifically in Flint, has had significant impacts on the health and well-being of residents. The crisis was a result of cost-saving measures, inadequate water treatment, and systemic racism. Efforts to address the issue and provide relief to affected individuals are ongoing, with various organisations and government bodies working to prevent similar incidents in the future.

PFAS contamination

Michigan is surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, and is home to over 11,000 inland lakes, 63 major watersheds, and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams. With such an abundance of water, water pollution is a significant issue in the state. One of the key contaminants is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

In 2018, EGLE began searching for PFAS in all public water systems and schools on private well water. Test results revealed that some form of PFAS chemicals had been detected in the drinking water of over 2 million people across Michigan. The sources of pollution include chemical-based firefighting foam used by military bases, airports, and fire departments, as well as industrial chemicals from active manufacturers, which were released into lakes and rivers via wastewater or dumped at waste disposal sites.

To combat PFAS contamination, Michigan lawmakers have introduced legislation to limit PFAS exposure. This includes requiring the EPA to set discharge limits on industrial releases of PFAS, providing funding for wastewater treatment, assisting schools and childcare centers with PFAS contamination, and mandating comprehensive PFAS testing. Additionally, the state has passed legislation removing restrictions that prevented state environmental regulations from being stricter than federal standards.

The state's efforts to address PFAS contamination have been recognized, with Michigan being considered a leader in tackling this issue. However, the pervasiveness of PFAS contamination remains a concern, and the state continues to work towards ensuring safe and clean drinking water for its residents.

Frequently asked questions