GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Michigan has a deep-rooted history with drinking water. While the Flint Water Crisis brought it to the forefront of the conversation, lead exposure is a problem statewide.
"Frankly, just about all of our communities have led issues," Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) said.
She openly supported Senate Bill 31, which passed in June. The new legislation will require doctors to test children's blood for lead exposure, starting in 2024. It requires it to happen twice: once between the ages of 12 to 24 months, and again between 2 and 6 years old. Parents would be allowed to object to this.
"Having this early detection requirement, I think, would go a long way in keeping our kids safe and healthy," Rep. Rogers said.
A series of grants announced by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) hope to stop this lead exposure at one of its sources.
This includes water main replacements and pollution filtration in drinking water plants.
Grand Rapids received nearly $200,000 for the identification of lead water lines.
The Michigan Clean Water grants total to $11.7 million, and are split between the following seven areas:
- City of Highland Park: $10,105,000
- City of Ann Arbor: $491,122
- City of Grand Rapids: $196,453
- Village of Mayville: $208,717
- City of Rockford: $234,000
- City of Cedar Springs: $234,000
- City of Bronson: $234,000
While water is a source of lead exposure, Rep. Rogers pointed out that many lead exposures also come from old paint.
"We have lead pipes that the city is systematically replacing, but a lot of our communities are actually getting the lead exposure more directly through the paint in the pre-1978 housing stock," said Rogers.
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