Elin Betanzo

VOICES: Michigan is the first state to require water filters in schools. Let's make sure it’s done right. Michigan schools are now required to use lead-removing filters to provide safe drinking water, a first in the nation.

"Michigan is the first state in the country to require that all schools and child care facilities provide drinking water through lead-removing filters."

by @safewater.bsky.social / @planetdetroit.org

Take a look at your school’s drinking water plant before you break for the summer.

VOICES: Michigan is the first state to require water filters in schools. Let's make sure it’s done right. Michigan schools are now required to use lead-removing filters to provide safe drinking water, a first in the nation.

Live in Michigan? It’s time to check in on your school drinking water before your break for the summer.

planetdetroit.org/2025/05/mich...

Hazardous H2O: Lead Safety and the ‘Hidden 10 Percent’ - Truthdig In Cleveland and other cities, the worst cases of lead exposure in drinking water are obscured from public view thanks to a decades-old federal rule.

"By primarily conducting tap samples in houses with no lead service line or service lines that are partially lead on the city side, Cleveland’s data does not accurately represent the lead concentrations residents are likely being exposed to."

www.truthdig.com/articles/haz...

Can anyone provide thoughts on safety of air travel right now as a result of firings at the FAA? Is it peak chaos right now that will right itself, or is this as good as it's going to be for the next 4 years because it will be going steadily downhill? I'm trying to make travel plans.

Are there more aircraft accidents than usual right now or just more media coverage?

Trump administration fires thousands for ‘performance’ without evidence, in messy rush Many probationary employees targeted in latest Trump cuts across agencies had excellent ratings; legal challenges are expected.

These are the young people with energy and fresh ideas. The ones who help government adopt new technology, be more creative, and provide better services. Most just fresh out of training or school. These are the people we need in public service more than ever. www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...

GOP fights federal lead mandate as new Michigan rules expose more communities at risk Michigan's drinking water systems face challenges as lead levels exceed new standards as Congress debates repealing Biden's lead regulations.

Detroit Water & Sewerage Department reported a 90th %ile lead level of 13 ppb—within compliance for 2024 but above Michigan’s new 12 ppb threshold for 2025.

1.2 million people live in the Metro Detroit communities with lead exceeding the new standard of 12 ppb

planetdetroit.org/2025/02/lead...

DOGE allegations of fraud are a smokescreen to cut programs they don’t like but don’t have the votes to cut in Congress. Don’t fall for it.

State Dept. Plans $400 Million Purchase of Armored Tesla Cybertrucks The department plans to buy armored Tesla vehicles. Elon Musk, who is leading efforts to cut government spending, has won more than $13 billion in government contracts in the past five years.

The State Department plans to spend $400 million on armored vehicles from Tesla, which Musk owns. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/u...

EPA grant freeze impacts Michigan projects, court orders ignored Despite court orders blocking the move, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin once again froze climate funds by the EPA funding freeze.

It looks like the current administration's definition of waste, fraud, and abuse is any money that does not go in their own personal pockets. planetdetroit.org/2025/02/epa-...

Search EPA's frozen grants here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Water Utility Groups Seek to Dismantle Public Health Protections What happened to the American Water Works Association? Progress is in jeopardy and generations are poised to be poisoned by lead and other toxic chemicals.

"There are many well-meaning water utilities and executives who want to provide the safest water feasible to their customers and do not support the extreme actions of AWWA and AMWA."

We worked for over 30 years to get these requirements in place. This latest move would not only stop the new requirements to remove lead pipes from our drinking water systems but it would prohibit EPA from ever requiring it again.

Republicans move to repeal lead limits imposed by Biden-era rules US government would be prohibited from ever mandating lead pipe replacement or lowering lead limits in water

"Environmentalists expressed alarm about the moves, which, if successful, would in effect prohibit the government from ever requiring lead line replacement in the future, or lowering lead limits."

I ran $100 billion in Infrastructure and IRA programs at EPA. We obligated over $70 billion onto signed awards and contracts to protect public health and the environment. All that funding is currently frozen. Here are the facts…
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Yesterday I got an email dismissing me from an EPA SAB Panel. The science boards will be reestablished with selections by the new administration. In September I was invited to serve as a member of the SAB Microbial and Disinfection Byproducts Revisions Review Panel. www.politico.com/news/2025/01...

Safe Water Engineering – Tackling Water Safety in Southeast Michigan — Safe Water Engineering From Lead Contamination to Rising Rates, Southeast Michigan Faces a Critical Need Article reprinted with permission from SBN Detroit

I’m a water quality engineer with 20+ years of experience tackling drinking water challenges. I work to make water safer for everyone through data analysis, innovative solutions, and collaboration.

Check out my work: Safe Water Engineering: Tackling Water Safety in Southeast Michigan.