Water

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.

Ann Arbor City Council recently approved contributions to its first project in its innovative Bluebelt initiative. The Bluebelt program is a supplement and extension of the city’s Greenbelt land preservation program. It aims to improve area water quality. Now, in partnership with Washtenaw County and Scio Township, Ann Arbor is purchasing the Davenport Property just west of the city, along Mill Creek. That will add 79 acres of woods, wetlands and farmland. WEMU's David Fair got an update on the Bluebelt program with Ann Arbor Land Acquisition Specialist, Rosie Pahl Donaldson.

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

The Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office is offering money for the local establishments to construct rainwater gardens, natural shorelines, and other stormwater filtration systems. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

The federal administration is cutting environmental programs and funding and further reducing regulations on polluting. The political environment in Washington, in and of itself, is toxic. On the February edition of WEMU’s "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak were joined by Democratic Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin to discuss policy and politics.

The Michigan Court of Appeals says a lawsuit filed by Benton Harbor residents against the state over lead-contaminated water can move forward. The state argued that residents had missed the window to file the lawsuit. We have more from Rick Pluta.

Ann Arbor’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations is reporting over 80% compliance with the city’s Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance. 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.

2025 is wrapping up, and one of the primary issues raised over the past year is the proliferation and impacts of data centers. In 2026, we're likely to see some of these centers move toward becoming operational. Weighing economic benefit against potential environmental harm will continue, and there will be more vocal support and outrage for each proposed center. WEMU's David Fair got together with Washtenaw County Resiliency Office Director Beth Gibbons to try and compute the impact of data centers in Washtenaw County.

A major construction project in Saline is expected to be coming online in 2026. As WEMU's Kevin Meerschaert reports, the long-awaited rehabilitation of the city’s wastewater treatment plant is getting closer to completion.