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“Detroit suspends water shutoffs over Covid-19 fears” by Nina Lakhani, The Guardian

Thousands of low-income households in Detroit that have not been able to afford running water since 2014 will be temporarily reconnected to water supplies and have their monthly bill covered by the state of Michigan as part of a national effort to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.

 

“EPA says $87 million banked for Flint water crisis still hasn’t been spent” by Ron Fonger, MLive

While millions of dollars were delegated to address water infrastructure problems in Flint after the 2014 Flint water crisis, a lack of governance and foresight has caused the majority of the funds to remain unspent.

 

“Michigan oversight panel OKs limits on ‘forever chemicals’” by John Flesher, Associated Press

An environmental oversight panel in Michigan has endorsed drinking water limits and periodic testing for PFAS, a group of long-lasting industrial and household chemicals with negative health effects that have been regularly found in Michigan’s drinking water.

 

“The Great Lakes keep breaking records - and not just its water levels” by Jack Nissen, Fox2 Detroit

New record high water levels in the Great Lakes have been associated with record temperature and precipitation levels as well, a trend which is expected to continue later this year as rising water levels continue to threaten infrastructure and erosion along shorelines.

 

 

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“Early results from 174 Flint children exposed to lead during water crisis shows 80% of them will require special education services” by Sharyn Alfonsi, 60 Minutes (2020)

New studies on the lasting impacts of the 2014 Flint water crisis have found that young children who were exposed to elevated lead levels in their drinking water will likely experience significant developmental setbacks as they grow older.

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“Michigan likely needs realtor buy-in to pass a septic code” by Kaye LaFond and Sheri McWhirter, Stateside (2020)

Michigan remains the only state to not have statewide regulations for septic systems despite the significant health and environmental effects that leaky septic systems have. Realtors and other interest groups continue to fight against regulations in spite of pushback from community members.

Listen on NPR, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts