toxic chemicals

Ann Arbor officials are taking the first steps towards ensuring the community’s drinking water remains safe and reliable. WEMU’s Taylor Pinson has the story.

The Huron River has, once again, been put at risk because of a chemical spill. First it was PFAS contamination, and now it's Hexavalent Chromium. In both instances, the same Wixom-based company is responsible. Yet, the laws in Michigan do not allow for holding the company liable. That wasn't always the case. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, got together with the author of Michigan's original and now-dismantled polluter pay legislation. Former Ann Arbor State Senator Lana Pollack weighed in on the need to re-institute liability laws to better protect the environment.

The vacant property on Water Street in downtown Ypsilanti has received $4.3-million from the state. The money will cover the costs of cleaning up contamination with the hopes of attracting a developer. WEMU's Josh Hakala has more.

The same Wixom company that dumped PFAs into the Huron River may be causing more damage with the release of a carcinogenic chemical into the sewer system. Monitoring continues to see if the contamination will reach Washtenaw County. Huron River Watershed Council executive director, Rebecca Esselman, joined WEMU's David Fair with the latest on the health of the Huron River.

State health officials have lifted all of the contact restrictions on all parts of the Huron River. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.

Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell says she is furious about the spill of toxic chemicals into the Huron River. And she has called for an emergency response team from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to step in. WEMU's Cathy Shafran has more.

There was unanimous support at Thursday’s city council meeting to authorize, but not mandate, the Ann Arbor Attorney’s office to file a lawsuit against Tribar Manufacturing. WEMU's Josh Hakala has more.

A harmful chemical spill is making its way down the Huron River, potentially headed to Washtenaw County. WEMU’s Taylor Pinson reports.

While there has been progress in the effort to remove the historic Peninsular Paper Dam from the Huron River in Ypsilanti, there are a group of folks continuing to argue against such action. The Friends of Peninsular Park contend the cost of removal is exorbitant, and, for less money, the dam could be returned to function and produce hydroelectric power. They also argue sediment contamination could spread downriver into Ford Lake that would adversely impact wildlife habitat. Tricia Mora is a board member of the group, and she provides the group's perspective in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

A new report released today by the Mind the Store campaign (a partner organization of the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor) finds significant chemical policy…