Michigan water officials would post compliance records and hold local hearings

State water officials would maintain a searchable public database of water suppliers’ compliance records and water test results. For each supplier, records would include violations and significant deficiencies on or after January 1, 2013, enforcement action, and violation outcomes and status. People must be able to search by community name and water supplier. The test results covered are those from water sampled and analyzed under section 7. Test results must be published within one month after they are reported to the department.

State water officials would hold a local hearing and publish possible solutions for public comment. The trigger is a department-issued notice of a significant deficiency involving a violation. State drinking water rules define that term. Officials must consult the affected public water supplier before publishing the options they are considering. The hearing must explain the problem and identify concerns that enforcement needs to address. The hearing must occur within 30 days after the department issues the deficiency notice. The notice of possible solutions must follow within 30 days after the hearing.