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Bill

SB 504

Water supply: quality and standards; testing and reporting of the amount of microplastics in public drinking water supplies; require. Amends sec. 5 of 1976 PA 399 (MCL 325.1005) & adds sec. 6a.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rosemary Bayer and 7 co-sponsors

Michigan requires public water systems to test drinking water for microplastics and report findings, establishing transparency on contamination levels.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE
#environmentalprotection:pollutionprevention #stateagencies(existing):environment #greatlakes #andenergy #watersupply:qualityandstandards
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Bill Summary · SB 504

Legislative bill overview

SB 504 requires Michigan public water supplies to test for and report microplastics contamination levels to state regulators and the public. The bill amends the state's safe drinking water law to establish testing protocols and reporting standards for microplastic particles in municipal water systems.

Why is this important

Microplastics—tiny plastic fragments from degraded consumer products, synthetic textiles, and tire wear—are increasingly found in drinking water globally and have raised public health concerns. This bill would give Michigan residents transparency about microplastic contamination and establish baseline data on the scope of the problem in the state's water supplies.

Potential points of contention

  • Testing cost burden: Water utilities may face significant expenses for specialized laboratory testing and equipment, potentially raising consumer water bills
  • Lack of federal standards: Michigan would establish its own microplastic limits without EPA guidance, creating regulatory uncertainty about what constitutes "safe" levels
  • Technical feasibility: Standardized microplastic testing methods are still evolving scientifically, making consistent statewide reporting challenging
  • Unclear health threshold: Limited consensus exists on safe exposure levels for microplastics in drinking water, complicating what actionable standards should be

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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