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Filter First

child filling up water bottle at sink with faucet filter
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Filter First

To protect Michigan children from exposure to lead in drinking water, the Clean Drinking Water Access Act, 2023 PA 154, and amendments to the Child Care Organizations Act, 1973 PA 116, collectively also known as Filter First, were signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer with an effective date of October 24, 2023. These laws require schools and child care centers in Michigan to develop a Drinking Water Management Plan (DWMP), install lead reducing filters on all consumptive fixtures, and test filtered water. Until exhausted, funding will be available for a one-time acquisition/installation of filtered bottle fill water coolers, point of use faucet filters, and certain maintenance and sampling costs.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) have provided a DWMP template, guidance for filters, and training for schools and child care centers.

EGLE and MiLEAP look forward to working with schools, child care centers, and their representatives to ensure the success of the Filter First program and the health and wellbeing of children. If your school or child care center is a regulated Type II (noncommunity) water supply, you will also be working with your local health department to ensure Type II requirements are met. 

Facilities may begin planning and developing a plumbing inventory.

  • Filter First

    Filter First - Healthy Hydration

    The Filter First Healthy Hydration grant application period is now closed.

    The Michigan state legislature appropriated $50 million in federal funding to reimburse districts, non-public schools, and licensed child care centers for the acquisition/installation of filtered bottle-filling stations, tap-mounted (faucet-mounted) water filters, water filter pitchers (filtered water pitchers), or universal cartridge water filters (replacement filter cartridges).

    Note: In-line filter costs do not qualify for this grant. In-line filters were not yet approved to meet the Filter First requirements at that time.

    Find grant information and resources

Timeline

  • Schools and child care centers complete a Drinking Water Management Plan by January 24, 2025.
  • Child care centers ensure that any water furnished to children is from a filtered source by October 24, 2025.
  • Schools have approved filters on all consumptive fixtures by the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
  • Schools must sample annually, and child care centers must sample every two years. There is no specific sampling due date, it is up to the school or child care center to begin sampling after filters have been installed and to continue to do so.

Guidance materials

Specific Filter First requirements are provided in the guidance materials.

  • laptop with the word "Webinar" overlayed

    Previously recorded webinars

    Filter First for Schools (recorded 4/29/26, 1 hr 3 min) - The deadline for schools to comply with the Filter First requirements is near. This webinar will discuss all of the Filter First requirements for schools including completing the drinking water management plan, installing filters and filtered bottle-filling stations, and sampling. Additionally, EGLE will go over what schools should expect for certifying compliance with Filter First.

    Filter First for Child Care Centers (recorded 9/24/25, 56 min) - The October 24, 2025 deadline for child care centers to comply with the Filter First requirements is near. This webinar will discuss all of the Filter First requirements for child care centers including completing the drinking water management plan, providing filtered water, and sampling. Additionally, EGLE will go over what to expect in future child care licensing inspections related to the Filter First requirements.

    Filter First - Healthy Hydration Update for Schools and Child Care Centers (recorded 7/23/2025, 40 min) - EGLE conducted this webinar to address the actions that should have been completed and the actions still required before the upcoming Filter First compliance deadlines. Updates on in-line filter guidance and signage are included as well as detail for collecting water samples, interpreting results, reporting, and lead reduction actions. 

    Filter First Drinking Water Management (recorded 1/15/2025, 58 min) - EGLE conducted this webinar to discuss the drinking water management plan requirements and provide other Filter First updates.

    Preparing to Meet School and Child Care Center Filter First Requirements (recorded 4/11/2024, 1 hr 26 min) - EGLE conducted this first webinar to roll out the new law requirements. This is the first of many webinars and training opportunities to come.