Elin Betanzo
@safewater.bsky.social
Drinking water engineer, water policy and data transparency nerd. I'm here for water discussion, supporting the DETROIT LIONS, and cat photos.
Pinned
Elin Betanzo
@safewater.bsky.social
· Feb 14
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.
planetdetroit.org
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...
1.2 million people live in the Metro Detroit communities with lead exceeding the new standard of 12 ppb
planetdetroit.org/2025/02/lead...
Reposted by Elin Betanzo
"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
by @safewater.bsky.social / @planetdetroit.org
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.
planetdetroit.org
May 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM
"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
by @safewater.bsky.social / @planetdetroit.org
Take a look at your school’s drinking water plant before you break for the summer.
Now is the time to request your school’s Drinking Water Management Plan and review it carefully, drinking water expert Elin Betanzo writes in a Voices column. planetdetroit.org/2025/05/mich...
May 18, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Take a look at your school’s drinking water plant before you break for the summer.
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...
planetdetroit.org/2025/05/mich...
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.
planetdetroit.org
May 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
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...
planetdetroit.org/2025/05/mich...
"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...
www.truthdig.com/articles/haz...
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.
www.truthdig.com
May 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
"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...
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.
February 26, 2025 at 1:48 PM
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.
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/...
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.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM
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/...
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...
1.2 million people live in the Metro Detroit communities with lead exceeding the new standard of 12 ppb
planetdetroit.org/2025/02/lead...
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.
planetdetroit.org
February 14, 2025 at 4:03 AM
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...
1.2 million people live in the Metro Detroit communities with lead exceeding the new standard of 12 ppb
planetdetroit.org/2025/02/lead...
Reposted by Elin Betanzo
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.
February 13, 2025 at 3:52 PM
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.
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-...
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.
planetdetroit.org
February 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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-...
Reposted by Elin Betanzo
Search EPA's frozen grants here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
February 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Search EPA's frozen grants here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
"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."
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.
www.nrdc.org
February 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
"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."
"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."
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
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
"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."
Reposted by Elin Betanzo
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…
🔌💡 1/X
🔌💡 1/X
January 31, 2025 at 5:37 PM
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…
🔌💡 1/X
🔌💡 1/X
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...
January 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
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...
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.
Check out my work: Safe Water Engineering: Tackling Water Safety in Southeast Michigan.
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
www.safewaterengineering.com
January 14, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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.
Check out my work: Safe Water Engineering: Tackling Water Safety in Southeast Michigan.