Learn more about your water during Drinking Water Week

This Drinking Water Week, take the opportunity to learn about your local drinking water. Understanding water is the first step to conserving and protecting it, and there are steps you can take in your home to help protect your drinking water quality and health.

“Everyone can play a part in keeping our drinking water clean, whether it’s protecting our source waters or updating old plumbing and fixtures at home,” said Kris Donaldson, EGLE’s clean water public advocate.

Michigan is joining communities across North America in celebrating Drinking Water Week, May 3-9. For over 40 years this event has been led by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), serving as a reminder of the importance of healthy drinking water and the tireless efforts of water professionals. EGLE’s Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate collaborates with other state divisions and agencies to promote public resources and improve drinking water education during this week.

Information and resources at Michigan.gov/DrinkingWaterWeek can help people learn where their drinking water comes from, how to find out about their water quality, who to contact with questions and 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.

How your water is supplied also determines how your water is regulated, when your water is tested and for which contaminants.

• If you get a bill for your water, it is likely that you are receiving water from a community public 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 residential well, your well and its water are ultimately your responsibility. During Drinking Water Week, Michigan also proclaims May 7 as Private Residential Well Awareness Day to bring attention to the 2.6 million Michiganders who depend on private residential wells for their drinking water. These wells are only required to be tested and inspected when installed, but routine maintenance, inspections, and testing is important for protecting your drinking water and your health. 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 using a certified laboratory. Check with your local health department to learn if there are any drinking water concerns in your area and what testing is recommended.

Resources and activities for children and educators are also available, including information on EGLE’s Lending Station, where models and other hands-on demonstration resources can be borrowed.

For more information about Drinking Water Week and additional resources, visit Michigan.gov/DrinkingWaterWeek.