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Michigan works to reduce chemicals from wastewater plants

Water faucet photo
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Wikimedia.org

Michigan regulators are cracking down on municipal sewage plants in an effort to decrease the amount of chemicals flowing into the Great Lakes.

MLive.com reports that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality wants the plants to treat industrial wastewater and determine which customers are using the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are contaminating water supplies across the state.

The approximately 70 plants were notified in February that they have until late June to identify industrial customers using PFAS and create a plan to monitor and reduce the chemicals.

A final report must be submitted in October.

Studies suggest the chemicals affect fetal development, disrupt hormonal functions, damage fertility and immune systems, and boost the risk of cancer.