Michigan environmental regulators have identified four major issues posing immediate health risks to Wyandotte residents in a recent survey of the city’s water system, prompting concerns among local residents.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) found 40% of Wyandotte’s water system experiencing “significant deterioration.” Regulators discovered tennis balls, beverage containers, and insects in one of the city’s drinking water reservoirs during their inspection.
“I clean with it, I wash dishes with it, I cook with it. I don’t drink it. I drink bottled water,” says Judy Headman, a 35-year resident of Wyandotte, reflecting growing concerns among community members.
System Deficiencies Raise Alarms
The state’s investigation revealed multiple infrastructure and maintenance issues requiring immediate attention. These findings come amid existing concerns from environmental groups about potential contaminants entering the city’s water intake system, which is positioned downstream from the BASF facility.
While some residents remain confident in the water quality, others express skepticism. Tom Milewski, a 74-year resident, points to annual water quality reports: “They give us a report yearly on everything that’s in our water, and everything is well below the standards for parts per million.”
City Response and Regulatory Oversight
Wyandotte Municipal Services defended its water quality through a statement on the city’s website, asserting that “The water provided to Wyandotte residents by Wyandotte Municipal Services has always met and or exceeded all standards set by EPA and EGLE.”
However, EGLE officials paint a more complex picture. A spokesperson for the agency stated, “Although the City of Wyandotte continues to supply customers with water that meets the quality standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act, there are some ongoing problems that indicate insufficient technical, managerial, and financial capacity at the water department.”
Infrastructure Challenges
The discovery of foreign objects in the drinking water reservoir highlights issues in the system’s infrastructure. The “significant deterioration” cited by EGLE in 40% of the water system indicates substantial maintenance issues that need to be addressed.
“I love everything about this city except for maybe the water right now,” Headman adds, echoing concerns shared by other residents about water safety.