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Snyder says DEQ can adopt new lead standards

picture of DEQ logo
wcmu.org

Governor Rick Snyder plans to take executive action on tougher standards for lead in drinking water in the face of foot-dragging by the Legislature.

The Legislature’s Republican leaders have been cool to Governor Snyder’s proposed new lead-in-water rules, which would be tougher than federal standards.

The governor says the federal rule is weak and confusing, and partially responsible for the Flint water crisis. The governor says he doesn’t want to wait. “We looked at it, and we can do a number through rule-making, so we’re, I’m looking forward to some improvements we can do through the executive branch.”

The governor wants a lower threshold to trigger a state response when lead is detected in drinking water, and he wants every community to create an inventory of lead service lines.

I’m Rick Pluta at the state Capitol