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Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate
Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate
The Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate (OCWPA) 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 (EGLE) to elevate concerns and has a direct connection to the Governor’s Office.
The OCWPA primarily serves as a resource and facilitator of communication between other offices, state agencies, community partners, and the public in issues related to drinking water. Exploring gaps and recommending potential improvements to policies, procedures, and regulations to support the continued improvement of Michigan’s drinking water response and regulation is part of what we do as well. The OCWPA also ensures that the public can report drinking water concerns through the statewide concerns reporting system and that those concerns are heard and investigated by the appropriate entity.
Drinking Water Week 2023
Each May, Michigan recognizes Drinking Water Week and Private Residential Well Day and encourages Michiganders to learn more about their drinking water.
How does it get to your tap? How can you learn what’s in your water? Who should you contact with questions about your water? If you don’t know the answers, click below to find out!
Benton Harbor Drinking Water Response
Learn about lead service line replacement, water testing results, and other information about on-going efforts in Benton Harbor.
Water Assistance
If you are having a hard time paying your water or other utility bills, there may be help. Michigan 2-1-1 is an easy way to connect with help of all kinds, right in your community. Need help with food, housing, or paying bills? Need support in a family crisis or community disaster? We're here for you. Any time. All the time. Just call, text, or search online and we'll get you connected.
Concerned about your drinking water?
The online drinking water concern system was developed to provide Michigan residents with an additional channel to submit their water quality concerns to EGLE or their Local Health Department (LHD).
Get Involved
Here are a few ways that you can lend your voice to improve water quality in Michigan.