Drinking water

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency say they’re taking action against microplastics contamination. It’s welcome news to local lawmakers who have been working to get them out of the water supply for years. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that the Gelman Sciences 1,4 Dioxane plume has been added to the federal Superfund National Priorities List. After years of effort toward that end, it seemed as though the designation came suddenly and without notice. With a little time behind us now, we’re looking ahead to what’s next in the slow process of cleanup and accountability in a conversation between WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor.

After decades of local effort, the Environmental Protection Agency has designated the Gelman plume in Ann Arbor and Scio Township as a Superfund Site. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

A portion of Scio Township is under a new boil water advisory. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

While we ring in the New Year, 2026 will see a continuation of many of the same environmental issues we experienced through 2025. But this year is also a mid-term election year, and that could further complicate issues. 48th District State Representative Jennifer Conlin discusses what may come in 2026. The Ann Arbor Democrat joined WEMU's David Fair and co-host Lisa Wozniak to explore current and new challenges.

City of Ypsilanti officials are doing a final push to get residents and businesses to install new water meters before the start of the new year. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Ann Arbor is looking at something "blue" to expand its protection of drinking and other water sources. The new Bluebelt program will work in concert with the Greenbelt land preservation program to expand water protections. WEMU's David Fair was joined by City of Ann Arbor Land Acquisition Specialist, Rosie Pahl Donaldson, to discuss the goals of the program.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is accelerating its plans to help communities such as Ypsilanti replace many of their water service lines. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

Early this morning, the Michigan Legislature approved a roughly $80 billion budget for the fiscal year. State Senator Jeff Irwin is chair of the Appropriations Committee for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The Ann Arbor Democrat joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to provide a snapshot of the environmental implications of the budget.

Officials in Saline have figured out what happened that caused a major water well pump to fail. They say repairs should be completed by the end of next week. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.