As a leader in the nation in lead exposure prevention, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends that Michigan households take the necessary steps to Get Ahead of Lead to stay safe and protect against the threat of lead in drinking water.
MDHHS recommends that Michigan households use a certified lead-reducing drinking water filter if your home has or if you are uncertain if it has one of the following:
Use the filter until you are able to remove sources of household lead plumbing, such as:
Below are tips that everyone can use to help maintain your home’s drinking water quality.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that no safe blood lead level has been identified for young children. All sources of lead exposure for children should be controlled or eliminated. Lead can be found throughout a child’s environment including their homes. Homes built before 1978 can contain lead-based paint and dust, which is a well-established cause of child exposure to lead. Children can also be exposed to lead in their household drinking water due to corrosion of older water service lines and pipes, faucets, and fittings inside the home. This can occur on homes served by a private well or a public water supply.
Lead found in drinking water is soluble or particulate. Soluble lead is lead that is dissolved in water. Particulate lead is small pieces of lead from lead-containing material. Either type of lead can get into your drinking water when pipes or faucets containing lead begin to break down or dissolve. The amount of lead that can end up in drinking water depends on:
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All community and nontransient noncommunity water supplies are subject to Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) requirements. The LCR establishes action levels for lead and copper based on a 90th percentile level of tap samples. Water supplies must conduct tap monitoring and associated reporting to stay in compliance with the LCR. Visit our website for details regarding 2018 rule changes, reporting guidelines, forms, and templates.
All children need access to healthy water. Quality drinking water is critical to a child's overall health, development, and performance. Michigan children spend a significant portion of their day in school or childcare facilities. The School Drinking Water Program provides school personnel with training, guidance, and tools on school water management practices, sampling plans, and risk reduction.
Revisions to the LCR established the statewide Drinking Water Advisory Council, and individual Water System Advisory Councils to provide education about lead in drinking water to the state and local communities. The statewide council includes water industry professionals, public health professionals and members of the public. A local council must have five or more people, with at least one being a community resident.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Lead in drinking water; drinking water resources; and lead and drinking water from private wells
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE): Types of water supplies
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Basic information about lead in drinking water
Residents eligible for the Faucet and Filter Safety Net Program should complete the lead services application. If you have questions, please contact the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315.
The Statewide Filter Support program provides a certified lead-reducing drinking water filter and replacement cartridges to eligible Michigan households. This program offers an immediate way for families to reduce the risk of lead exposure from drinking water and serves as the first step toward additional Get Ahead of Lead services.
The Filter Support Program includes:
A household may be eligible for the Statewide Filter Support if:
Homes served by private wells may also have lead-containing plumbing and may be eligible to receive support.
Eligible households can receive Filter Support regardless of location, ensuring families across Michigan have access to a filter to reduce the risk of lead exposure while longer-term solutions are pursued.
If you fit the criteria above, sign up for the Statewide Filter Support Program here.
If you have questions, please contact the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315.
Households within Faucet and Filter Safety Net communities with children and/or pregnant persons enrolled in Medicaid can receive the following upon request:
Other low-income households may seek support from:
Faucet and Filter Safety Net Communities meet the following conditions:
To be eligible for Faucet and Filter Safety Net, the household must:
If you meet the criteria above, please fill out a Lead Services Application. If you have questions, please contact the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315.
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The Filters for Foster Care Program provides point-of-use water filters statewide for Michigan’s residential foster care providers. This program is available to residential foster care homes.
To be eligible for Filters for Foster Care program, the household must:
Private wells can also have lead-containing plumbing. Visit Care For MI Drinking Water for more information.
If your home has or if you are unsure if your home has any of the lead components mentioned above in its plumbing, and are a current foster care provider, you are eligible to receive a free filter and replacement cartridges
If you have questions, please contact the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315.
The Lead and Copper Exceedance in Community Water Supply Support Program will provide notification and packet of educational materials to local water supply and local public health in ALE communities as notified by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). This packet includes the following materials:
If you have questions, please contact the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315.
A data-driven approach was used to identify communities at higher risk for lead exposure. This includes percent of children with elevated blood levels, age of housing, poverty levels, and Lead and Copper Rule testing results. Communities receiving additional assistance are defined as either Filter Safety Net Communities or Faucet and Filter Safety Net Communities.
When a water supply has detected more than 12 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in the drinking water of at least 10% of homes tested, as determined by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Faucet and Filter Safety Net Communities that meet the following conditions:
Learn how elevated blood lead levels can affect bodies and overall health.
Learn what a blood lead test is, the different types, and why testing is important.
Learn about lead services for your home, offered by city and county.
Learn the facts on how to protect your drinking water quality.
Learn about Michigan specific laws and regulations.
