Our drinking water comes from a variety of sources including groundwater, rivers, and lakes. There are thousands of water supplies providing drinking water to the public and hundreds of thousands more private water wells supplying water to millions of people in Michigan and millions more across the Great Lakes Region. Knowing and understanding the quality and quantity of the source is a critical first step in planning and developing sustainable approaches and managing our drinking water resources. EGLE presents this webinar series to highlight how agencies, communities, universities, local organizations, and citizens can promote and protect drinking water sources. A question-and-answer period will follow each presentation.
This webinar series is provided through a collaborative partnership with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Institute of Water Research at Michigan State University (IWRMSU), and Michigan Rural Water Association (MRWA).
Each webinar is approved for 0.1 Continuing Education Credits (CEC) in the Technical category.
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.
This webinar is approved for 0.1 CECs in the technical category for drinking water operators.
Recordings are 1 hour long, unless otherwise noted.
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:
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:
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:
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:
Jim Ostrowski, Outreach Section Manager, at OstrowskiJ2@Michigan.gov or at 517-285-2184.
Please reach out with questions about the webinar content and/or recommendations for additional topics!
