Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder expressed his intention to implement more stringent standard on lead levels in water as he presented his 75-point plan on Monday.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the document lays out short-, medium-, and long-term goals to address various issues in health and human services, water supply and infrastructure, educational resources, and economic and employment development.
Gov. Snyder's stance on improving water supply and increasing lead-level regulations higher than what federal laws require stems from the Flint water crisis in which drinking water throughout Flint, Michigan was largely contaminated with lead causing serious health problems to residents, particularly affecting 6,000 to 12,000 children. The corrosive water from the Flint River caused from old pipes to seep into the water supply, elevating the levels of the heavy metal in water.
"Many departments have been involved in addressing the immediate crisis in whatever way they could. At the same time, they have been working on longer-term plans that address Flint's future prosperity. These action plans lay out our next steps as we continue to work together as one Michigan to solve the challenges residents may face," Snyder said in a press release.
Snyder had previously criticized the rules implemented U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's in which it was stated drinking water is considered safe if 90% of tap samples taken from high-risk areas are within lead concentration levels of 15 parts per billion, Crain's Detroit Business noted.
Although Gov. Snyder's proposal does not specifically identify the regulations it seeks to implement, he promises that it will "certainly be better than the current rule."
Meanwhile, Flint Mayor Karen Weaver gave an update on her "Fast Start" program under which fault water lines will be replaced with new ones to avoid similar contamination issues in the future.
"Now that the homes have been identified and the permits are secured, crews can get to work replacing more pipes," Weaver stated, as quoted by CBS News.
Among the short-term goals in Gov. Snyder's proposal include the establishment of three additional Child and Adolescent Health Centers as well as providing nutrition assistance and professional support for children under the age of six with high lead levels in their blood.
