Recorded June 24, 2025

This webinar will provide insights into how community water systems can assess risks associated with sites of concern identified in their Contaminant Source Inventory as part of a comprehensive Source Water Protection Program. We will discuss practical approaches to minimize contamination risks and protect your community’s drinking water supply.

Topics addressed:

• Fundamentals of groundwater flow and contaminant transport. + Understanding how contaminants interact with high-capacity community water wells.
• The often-complex interaction between those responsible for the investigation/remediation of sites of concern and community water suppliers.
• The use, limitations, and practicality of groundwater monitoring as an early warning for future impacts to community water supplies.
• Using your leverage to help ensure sites of concern are being addressed, including potential intervention strategies.

Recorded February 20, 2025
This webinar will explore the critical importance of source water protection planning for safeguarding community water supplies. The City of Kalamazoo, Michigan will share their 25 years of source water protection experience with a focus on practical management strategies to protect their municipal water supply. The Michigan Rural Water Association Source Water Protection Specialist will also discuss examples of management options that small and medium size systems have implemented to protect their source.

Whether you’re a water system manager, land use planner, consultant, or a concerned citizen, this session will provide valuable insights and tools to help you protect one of your community’s most essential resources - its drinking water. Join us to discover practical steps you can take today to protect your water supply.

Waterborne pathogens like Cryptosporidium, Salmonella, and norovirus can contaminate groundwater, and these pathogens pose a health risk to consumers when groundwater is used as a source of public drinking water. However, the extent of contamination and prevailing health risks in real-world public drinking water systems are not well-defined based on previous scientific studies.

This session will highlight occurrence and health risks of multiple waterborne pathogens in source water for public supply wells across the state of Minnesota and be informative to other states in the Upper Great Lakes region.

Learn how your community can receive funding to protect your drinking water. This webinar provides information on grant eligible funding, activities, and tips to ensure your application meets EGLE requirements.

This training includes a demonstration of the grant application process, common application errors, and tips to increase the likelihood your grant request is awarded.

This insightful webinar brings together a panel of experts to showcase ongoing efforts in source water protection across the states of US EPA Region 5. From innovative approaches to triumphs, our panelists delved into the strategies implemented by various states, sharing their experiences and shedding light on the collaborative efforts that safeguard our vital water resources. Discover the achievements, learnings, and future plans that shape the landscape of source water protection in our region. 

Presenters: 

• Cary McElhinney, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Brian Austin, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Steve Robertson, Minnesota Department of Health

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a growing concern across the nation, and Michigan is no exception. These blooms can produce toxins that pose significant risks to both human health and aquatic ecosystems. In this webinar, we delve into the fascinating science behind algal blooms, their causes and detrimental effects, and examples of efforts taken to prevent drinking water exposures.

Key topics covered:

• Understanding the science: discover the factors that contribute to the formation of harmful algal blooms and the conditions that foster their growth.
• Monitoring Michigan's waterways: learn about EGLE's efforts to track and detect harmful algal blooms in various surface water bodies.
• Safeguarding drinking water: explore Michigan's efforts to ensure the safety of drinking water systems and protect the health of its residents.

This session guides you through the development, update, and implementation of SWPPs in local municipalities. We cover all the essential elements of SWPPs and highlight their significance with real-life examples from Michigan. Discover why managing the area around your public water supply system is crucial and gain insights into funding sources for SWPP development and implementation.

Presenter:

• Kelly Hon is a USDA Source Water Protection Specialist with the Michigan Rural Water Association.

Do you know where your drinking water comes from?  Ever wonder how land use impacts your drinking water? The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Stewardship Program is leading a team of conservation partners on a new initiative called “Forest to Mi Faucet” to share information about the connections between healthy forests and clean drinking water. Partners on the Forest to Mi Faucet team are helping municipal water utilities implement their source water protection plans to reduce nonpoint source pollution. The project will help rural landowners and urban residents protect important forests, manage forests better, and expand forests in strategic riparian locations.

Presenters: 

• Mike Smalligan is the Forest Stewardship Coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  He works with foresters, loggers, environmentalists and many partner organizations to help landowners take good care of 12 million acres of private forests and public waters.  He has degrees in forestry and crop and soil sciences from Michigan State University.
• Meagan Hoffman is the Forest and Water Community organizer for the Forest to Mi Faucet project.  Meagan is serving as a Huron Pines AmeriCorps member with the DNR in 2023.  Meagan has a degree in conservation biology and ecology from Arizona State and a watershed management certificate from Michigan State.