Last month, the Science Advisory Group directed by Governor Whitmer presented newly developed health-based values for PFAS to the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team. We posted about those new health-based values in our last blog here.

The next step is to gather feedback from our communities. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) is hosting stakeholder listening sessions to gather input from all necessary parties. Below is a list of questions being asked to municipalities. The League will be participating in the Municipality Stakeholder Listening Session on Aug 1, 2019.

We invite you to participate with us. Your feedback to the questions below will help us provide feedback to EGLE and ensure that municipalities are well represented in the upcoming  rule-making process:

• Should the Science Advisory Work Group health-based values (HBV) be used as maximum contaminant levels (MCL) or should considerations be made for costs and other factors that could negatively impact ratepayers?
• Should these compounds be regulated in the same manner as other synthetic organic contaminants (SOC), as laid out in the existing rules?
• Should samples taken for regulatory compliance be taken only by individuals who have received formal training?
• What additional types of training do you anticipate might be needed as a result of this rule?
• What impact (financial or otherwise) does a PFAS monitoring program potentially have?
• What impact (financial or otherwise) would PFAS treatment requirements potentially have?
• Is a phase-in period appropriate for this rule and, if so, how long should it last and what actions should be accomplished during this period?
• Should there be a tiered approach to phase-in, based on population size, previous sample results or other factors?
• Do you believe there is sufficient laboratory capacity to address analytical needs?

Send your feedback to these questions to Herasanna Richards at [email protected]. If you have any questions, reach out to us by email or 517-908-0309.

You can review the current Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act here. View the Health-Based Values Presentation and Report here.

Herasanna Richards is a legislative associate handling energy, environmental, external municipal services and election issues for the League.  She can be reached at [email protected] or 517-908-0309.