LANSING — A decade after PFAS chemicals were first discovered in Michigan’s waters, the state has approved rules dictating the highest levels of the contaminant allowed in drinking water systems.

It’s the first time in the state’s history it has set its own enforceable maximum contaminant levels that regulate chemicals in public water. Usually, that process is handled at the federal level. But the Environmental Protection Agency has been slow to move on setting a nationwide standard, and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer directed the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy last year to make state-level rules on an expedited timeline.

“This is very, very positive,” said Steve Sliver, director of the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team, which oversees PFAS response in the state.

The rules are “very science-based” and came together “absent anything happening at the federal level and doing it on an aggressive, accelerated time schedule,” Sliver said.

Related articles:

The new guidelines were approved Thursday by the Environmental Rules Review Committee, over the objection of industry officials, who said they were rushed.

Similar federal rules take three to four years to complete.

“Our biggest concern at the outset and in retrospect is the rules’ firm and short timeline,” said John Dulmes, executive director of the Michigan Chemistry Council, which represents the chemical industry in the state.

This process “seemed highly unusual and, frankly, unreasonable given the complexity of the issue,” he added.

Laura Campbell of the Michigan Farm Bureau testified that while the group doesn't oppose the rules, the limits could have a major cost impact on rural areas and small municipalities that may have to adjust their water systems to comply with the rule.