Learn more about your water during Drinking Water Week

Michigan recognizes national Drinking Water Week from May 7 – 13 this year. Drinking Water Week was established by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and partners to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives. EGLE’s Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate (OCWPA) collaborates with other state divisions and agencies in using this week to educate the public about their drinking water. 

“There are actions all of us can take to support healthy drinking water, from protecting the source to replacing old plumbing and fixtures in the home,” said EGLE’s Clean Water Public Advocate Kris Donaldson.

The information and resources at the Drinking Water Week website can help people learn where their drinking water comes from, what’s in it, who to contact with concerns, and actions they can take to support healthy drinking water in their homes. Knowing your water supply is key to learning about your water quality and determining who to contact with questions. Depending on your water supply, your local health department or water supplier is likely your best resources for answering questions about your water.

Water is supplied to your home from either a public water supply or a private well. One type of public water supply is called a community water supply. If you get a bill for your water, it is likely that you are receiving water from a community water supply. Most contaminants in water have no taste, color, or smell. The only way you might know if you have a problem is to test your drinking water. The water coming to your home may already be regularly tested for certain contaminants depending on your water supply.

Community water supplies are required to routinely test the water for certain contaminants. Test results for detected contaminants and other information about local water quality can be found in your water supplier’s Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), also known as an Annual Water Quality Report. CCRs may be delivered in different ways, such as a paper copy or via a link within your bill. If you’re not sure where to access yours, contact your local water supplier. Your local water supplier should also be your first call to answer questions or address concerns. If you are on another type of public water supply, testing requirements can vary. Your landlord, community association, water supplier, or local health department can help you find information.

If you have a private well, your well and its water are ultimately your responsibility. There are things that you should do to help protect your family’s health and ensure quality tap water. Check with your local health department to learn if there are any drinking water concerns in your area and what testing is recommended. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends annual testing for Coliform Bacteria and E. coli, nitrate, and nitrite and testing every three to five years for arsenic, copper, and lead. Consider testing for PFAS every three to five years as well, unless there is detection at the onset, in which case you should consider resampling each year. If you live near a potential PFAS source or if you are unsure, consider testing your drinking water via a certified PFAS Laboratory. Call the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315 to see if your home is in an area that is under investigation for PFAS, in which case MDHHS may be able to help with testing.

During this week, Michigan also proclaims Tuesday as Private Residential Well Awareness Day to bring attention to the 2.6 million Michiganders who depend on private wells for their drinking water, as well the responsibilities of well owners to properly maintain and test their wells. Michigan has over one million private residential wells. Drinking Water Week highlights important resources about well maintenance and testing found on the MDHHS Care for MiWell website.

For more information about Drinking Water Week and additional resources, visit the Drinking Water Week website.