Believe it or not, Michigan is the only US state without a mandatory statewide sanitary code for the installation, maintenance, and inspection of septic systems.

But Michigan could soon close that public health gap, as lawmakers consider a septic code to better regulate and inspect the 1.3 million systems across the state.

With at least 20% of systems statewide estimated to be failing, the bill aims to protect drinking water, especially in rural communities that rely on wells.

Read on for the story.

Plus: As law enforcement expands the use of license plate cameras, we want to hear your thoughts on the practice.

Communities raise questions as license plate cameras flood Michigan (Bridge Michigan): Privacy advocates and many residents warn that Michigan’s growing network of license plate readers amounts to mass driver surveillance. Police and Flock Safety—the company operating the cameras—say they only capture plates, help find missing people and solve serious crimes, and are used ethically. An independent analysis conducted last year, however, found that local law enforcement has performed searches for federal partners, such as ICE.

Detroit activist Ismael Ahmed dies (Freep): Community members across Detroit are remembering Ismael “Ish” Ahmed, a pioneering Arab American organizer, public servant, and cultural leader who died Jan. 31 at age 78. His legacy includes a lifetime of grassroots activism and leading Michigan’s human services department. A public celebration of his life is planned this summer at the Concert of Colors, which he helped launch.

Michigan groundhog predicts 6 more weeks of winter (MLive): Michigan’s official groundhog, Woody, stayed in her shelter during a snowy, 13-degree Groundhog Day morning at the Howell Nature Center, signaling six more weeks of winter for the state. Organizers say Woody’s prediction record is about 63%, and forecasters note the ongoing stretch of frigid weather could back her up. The more widely known Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania also predicted six more weeks of winter.

Waterborne pathogens introduced by septic tanks include E. coli, Salmonella and hepatitis A. (Imani/Unsplash)

By Justin Fox Clausen, Capital News Service

A new Senate bill would address the regulation, inspection and re-evaluation of septic systems.

If passed, Michigan would become the last state with a comprehensive septic code intended to prevent contamination of drinking water.

Megan Tinsley, the water policy director of the Michigan Environmental Council, said that past efforts to adopt a statewide code have failed.

Tinsley said a higher percentage of Michigan households rely on septic systems than the national average.

According to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), more than 1.3 million septic systems are used across the state to treat wastewater before returning it to the environment.

EGLE also estimates that at least 20% of those systems are failing.

Tinsley said that failing systems release up to 31 million gallons of wastewater per day into state waters, posing a threat to both humans and the environment.

Joan Rose, a microbiologist at Michigan State University who specializes in water microbiology, studies the impact of septic systems on diseases in the environment.

She said the waterborne pathogens introduced by septic tanks include E. coli, Salmonella and hepatitis A.

Rural communities across the state are at the highest risk, with many relying on groundwater and wells. A lack of regular inspections, especially at older homes, increases this risk.

As we shared earlier in the newsletter, more than 125 communities in Michigan now use license plate cameras, and there’s no state law regulating them.

With concerns about data sharing and immigration enforcement growing, this week we want to know:

Hit reply and let me know.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from Capital News Service. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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