Novi Takes a Step Back to Celebrate Safe Drinking Water Act’s 50th Anniversary
On September 25, 2024, Novi, Michigan became a hub for environmental discussions as state and national officials gathered at the Great Lakes Drinking Water Conference to mark a significant milestone—the 50th Anniversary of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. This landmark act has played an essential role in ensuring safe drinking water across the country and continues to shape our approach to water quality today.
Reflecting on a Legacy of Protection
Eric Oswald, the director of the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), opened the conference by reminding attendees of how far we’ve come since the act was established. Prior to the act’s implementation, drinking water regulations were often haphazard and primarily addressed health crises, such as outbreaks of cholera.
“The Safe Drinking Water Act marked a huge step for drinking water regulations nationally,” Oswald noted. “It established maximum contaminant levels and set forth monitoring requirements that have been crucial for public health.”
Water, a Core Aspect of Michigan’s Identity
As Michiganders, we often think of ourselves as the guardians of our precious water resources. Phil Roos, the EGLE Director, emphasized this point, highlighting that the Great Lakes contain a remarkable 21% of the world’s fresh surface water. Roos passionately expressed the need to protect our water sources, reminding everyone, “We have thousands of miles of rivers and 11,000 lakes. All of that is fragile and needs our care.”
Progress Amid Challenges
Over the past 50 years, Michigan has faced its fair share of water-related challenges. The Flint Water Crisis and lead contamination in areas like Benton Harbor have tested the state’s resolve. However, Roos celebrated recent achievements, stating, “After enormous challenges, we have some of the cleanest drinking water in the country and the world.”
With efforts underway to replace lead service lines, rebuild sewer systems, and upgrade septic systems, the state is making significant strides in water quality. But with many water systems outdated—some as old as 100 years—funding remains a pressing issue. Thankfully, recent federal support from the Biden-Harris administration and the fiscal year budget has opened doors for much-needed investments.
A Balancing Act: Funding and Needs
Roos shared a sobering statistic: “In our State Revolving Fund, we had about $750 million available for water infrastructure projects, but the requests totaled a staggering $3.5 billion.” Although the state has received over a billion dollars in federal funds to help bridge this gap, there is still much work to be done. “For every million dollars we invest in water infrastructure, we create 15 jobs and generate $6 in economic benefits. It’s a smart investment,” Roos added.
Looking Ahead with Vision 2027
As Michigan looks ahead, the state has launched an initiative dubbed “Vision 2027” to further solidify its status as a leader in environmental protection. Roos aims for continuous improvement across multiple metrics affecting air, land, water, and climate. “Our goal is to improve on 75% of these benchmarks each year,” Roos outlined.
Addressing Emerging Issues
While progress has been made, challenges like PFAS contamination, microplastics, and cybersecurity remain. Roos highlighted that while Michigan is leading the way in addressing PFAS, more research is necessary, especially for microplastics, which are still not fully understood.
To combat these issues, EGLE has been proactive, requiring industrial facilities to pretreat waste before it reaches wastewater treatment plants—an effort that has shown significant results in reducing harmful contaminants.
A Collaborative Future
The conference ended on a hopeful note with Roos expressing gratitude towards federal partners, stating that collaboration is essential for protecting our drinking water. “We couldn’t be doing this at the level we are without our federal partners,” he concluded.
As we reflect on 50 years of progress and look forward, it’s clear that Michigan is committed to safeguarding its water resources for generations to come. The road ahead may be challenging, but united efforts can pave the way to a healthier, safer future for every Michigander.
