#mdeq

Officials say 550 gallons of potentially toxic coolant fluid have leaked from electric power cables that run underwater where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet.

The owner of the cables, American Transmission Company, says the fluid is a mineral-based synthetic oil used for insulation that can be harmful if released into the environment.

American Transmission says the leak was discovered after the two cables tripped offline Sunday evening. The cables have been taken out of service.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) says the extent of the damage in the Straits of Mackinac is unknown.

The U.S. Goast Guard says the risk to human health is very low, but the MDEQ advised nearby towns to monitor their drinking water.

About 500 people showed up to a public hearing in Big Rapids hosted by Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality last night. Almost every one of them spoke against Nestle’s plan to pump 400 gallons of water a minute to sell under the company’s Ice Mountain bottled water brand.

They had other complaints, too.

Nestle is already the largest water bottler in Michigan. Right now, the company pumps 250 gallons per minute from its existing well near Evart, Michigan.

Many people cited specific concerns about depleting water resources near Nestle’s existing well near Evart, Michigan. Others worried the first-of-its-kind permit could open the door to other bottling companies who want to pump more than 200,000 gallons a day.

Detroit resident Nicole Hill seemed to sum up the underlying feeling in the room.

“Nestle is so greedy!” Hill said.

Hill and a dozen others said it is “outrageous” that Nestle is able to pump such a large volume of water on one side of the state, while people in Detroit and Flint pay some of the highest water rates in the country.

Ludington resident Karen Opperman said the state should collect more than the annual $200 dollar fee the permit would cost Nestle.

MDEQ lifts Beach Water Contact Advisory in Gulfport

(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), through its Beach Monitoring Program, lifted a water contact advisory Monday for Station 11 (Gulfport East Beach). Water samples at this station show the area has attained acceptable bacteria levels. There is one other advisory in effect.

The advisory is lifted for:

Station 11 — Gulfport East Beach — the extent is from…

(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), through its Beach Monitoring Program, issued beach water contact advisories Friday for Station 10B and Station 11. These segments of beach are not closed; however, there may be an increased risk of illness associated with swimming in these areas. When water samples show that levels are safe for human contact, the…

(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), through its Beach Monitoring Program, issued a beach water contact advisory Friday for Station 12B (Biloxi East Central Beach). Three other advisories remain in effect. The advisory is issued for:

Station 12B — Biloxi East Central Beach — the extent is from St. Peter St. east to Dukate Street.

Advisories remain in…

MDEQ issues Beach Water Contact Advisory for Station 5 in Pass Christian

(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), through its Beach Monitoring Program, issued a water contact advisory Thursday for Station 5 (Pass Christian West Beach). Two other advisories remain in effect.

The advisory is issued for:

Station 5 — Pass Christian West Beach — the extent is from Fort Henry Ave. east to Elliot St.

Advisories remain in effect for:

Stat…

MDEQ Lifts Two Beach Water Contact Advisories in Harrison County

(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), through its Beach Monitoring Program, lifted water contact advisories Thursday for Station 5 (Pass Christian West Beach) and Station 10 (Gulfport Central Beach) in Harrison County. Water samples at these stations show the areas have attained acceptable bacteria levels. There are advisories still in effect for two other…

MDEQ Lifts Three Beach Water Contact Advisories in Harrison County

(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), through its Beach Monitoring Program, lifted water contact advisories Tuesday for Station 7 (Pass Christian East Beach), Station 7A (Long Beach), and Station 9 (Gulfport Harbor Beach) in Harrison County. Water samples at these stations show the areas have attained acceptable bacteria levels. There are advisories still…