As the Michigan House prepares to take up plans to tighten testing standards for drinking water at common public sources, Rep. Lynn Afendoulis said she wants to make sure additional protections are extended to schools and child care centers.

Afendoulis, who also sponsored a bill in the House’s larger water quality package, today introduced a tandem plan to amend the state’s Safe Drinking Water Act ensuring that filtered water is supplied at all schools and daycare centers. The goal is to preempt children’s exposure to contaminants, Afendoulis said.

“The time is right to take up this particular policy – it’s top of mind, not just for lawmakers, but for West Michigan families,” Afendoulis said. “It’s a simple fix, and one that will help ensure our children are protected from a broad spectrum of contaminants. I hope to ease parents’ concerns for their children’s safety – particularly those families who were blindsided by the presence of PFAS in their children’s elementary school water supply.”

Until the state began proactively testing drinking water supplies in 2017, PFAS contamination went undetected in many areas of the state. Testing by the state’s Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) revealed that 60 schools and daycares – including several in West Michigan – had at least trace levels of PFAS in their water supply.

“The state and local communities alike share responsibility for protecting our water supply,” Afendoulis said. “This plan equips them with the tools to do so from day one.”

Afendoulis’ plan, House Bill 5105, has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation for consideration.