Clean Water

placeholder for hero image and content

Overview of Office

  • The Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate was created through Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2019-06. The Office operates as a type 1 agency within the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, while having a connection to the Governor’s Office to elevate concerns. 

    The Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate ensures that drinking water concerns are investigated and that trends are analyzed. Based on trend analysis, recommendations to laws, rules, regulations, and procedures will be made to ensure that community concerns are addressed. The Office also connects resources at the state and local level to ensure that Michigan is more responsive to drinking water quality concerns. 

Featured Topics

Focus on Water Initiatives

  • Focus on Water Initiative: working together to ensure a health water future

  • Through the Focus on Water Initiative, the Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate brings together multi-sector partners to support community efforts and connect resources to address water concerns.

    • Benton Harbor Lead Outreach Task Force
    • Water Leak Pilot
    • Additional community projects in 2021
     Learn More about the Focus on Water Initiative

Office Priorities

Improve Communication

  • an icon depicting two speech bubbles

Improve Communication

  • The Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate’s Communication Strategy strives to ensure two-way communication among all stakeholders including community partners and residents.

    Our Plan for Keeping You Informed

Support Community Efforts

  • an icon of hands holding a heart

Support Community Efforts

  • The Office continues to work with community partners to identify and address barriers that impact water quality. The Office recognizes the work of the many community partners that are already actively engaging with community residents about drinking water quality and accessibility. The Office will continue to partner with communities and support these efforts.

    Spotlight on Current Community Efforts

Collaborate to Connect Resources

  • an icon of three people connected

Collaborate to Connect Resources

  • The Office serves as a conduit to connect the work of state agencies and partners throughout Michigan as it pertains to improving water quality and protecting public health. Multi-sector collaboration is key. Collaboration with other state agencies and partners throughout Michigan will be accomplished through workgroups, advisory committees, and joint initiatives.

     Learn More About Collaboration Efforts

Ensure Transparency and Accountability

  • an icon of a set of scales

Ensure Transparency and Accountability

  • The Office will work with community residents, as well as state and local partners, to ensure that water quality information is accessible and provided in a timely manner. Transparency is vital. Residents must be informed of local and statewide efforts to improve water quality and ensure that public health is at the forefront of our water quality efforts.

    Working Together to Improve Water Quality