Interim DEQ Director Says They Need New Approach to Lead and Copper Rule

The interim head of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) says there needs to be a change in how the department approaches the rule regulating lead in water.

Department of Natural Resources Chief Keith Creagh was charged with overseeing the DEQ earlier this month after its director resigned for mishandling Flint’s water crisis.

Creagh says there needs to be a culture shift in how the DEQ addresses the Lead and Copper Rule.

He says you can have technical compliance with the rule without having the outcome you like to achieve.

He says they need to start with the end outcome in mind and the end outcome is clean drinking water in Flint.

Last week, Creagh met with the governor and Flint Mayor Karen Weaver on how the state would partner with the city to address high lead levels in the city’s water.