water

Outdated federal water laws and chemicals that were approved for industry without assessing for risk leave Ann Arbor and other communities struggling to ward off water contaminants before they foul drinking water supplies.

"Several thousand gallons" of liquid containing hexavalent chromium have spilled into the Huron River. State regulators are urging people not to play in or drink from the river until further notice.

The quality of Michigan's water infrastructure and the consequences of failure, while still real and apparent, are no longer being ignored.

The Great Lakes News Collaborative asked state and national experts how Michigan could break the cycle of underfunding and poor decision-making that has left water systems across Michigan in sorry shape.

Customers get cheaper, cleaner water when communities share the cost of infrastructure. But Michigan's experience shows how political conflicts and logistical challenges can complicate the math.

Rising rates hurt the state’s poorest residents.

As some rural towns lose population and government funds shrink, their drinking water systems are one failure away from crisis.

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is starting a door-to-door campaign in April after they say that a growing number of residents have not been paying their bills.

The Great Lakes Water Authority is planning to increase its wholesale rates starting this July.

The filtered water system, called the Water Box, is made by a non-profit called 501CTHREE. Similar systems have been set up in Flint, during its water crisis.