GLWA joins coalition filing complaint for declaratory judgment invalidating MDEQ’s revised lead and copper rule

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is the state of Michigan’s largest regional water authority which provides water of unquestionable quality to approximately 3.9 million people, or nearly 30 percent of the state’s population. Our service area includes eight counties and 127 government entities in southeast Michigan. GLWA consistently surpasses drinking water quality standards set out by both state and federal regulators.

Although GLWA’s system has no lead service lines, our member community systems do. GLWA joined the coalition seeking a declaratory judgment invalidating the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Revised Lead and Copper Rules in order to add weight to the serious concerns expressed by our member communities, and to ensure that they have a seat at the table in the discussion of amendments to the rules that we hope will result from the filing of this complaint.

Further, one of GLWA’s top priorities is the protection of public health and safety. As such, it supports aggressive action against exposure to lead, as well as other emerging contaminants of concern. However, the Authority believes that any changes to rules and regulations governing these contaminants must be done in a manner that is thoughtful and consistent with the law. That is why GLWA chose to be a party to Counts 1 and 2 of the Complaint, which directly address these concerns.

In conclusion, GLWA has been a strong supporter of, and active participant in, the state of Michigan’s 21st Century Infrastructure Commission, and the work it has been doing to ensure coordination of infrastructure repair and renewal throughout the state. The Lead and Copper Rule takes us in the opposite direction of the critical work that has already been done.