Education & Outreach

In this video for kids, Dewy the Water Drop explains how water from the environment makes its way into our homes to become our drinking water. You will learn about the water cycle, watersheds, groundwater, surface water and the ways that drinking water can be supplied to our homes, including private residential wells and public water supplies. By the end of the video, we hope you have a better understanding of where drinking water comes from!

These activity books include coloring pages, word searches, mazes, puzzles, activities and more to help you understand where drinking water comes from. To view the activity books, click the images below.

MDHHS has developed worksheets to raise awareness about drinking water for older students. These well water mazes and word searches are recommended for grades 3-5 and 6-8. You can order copies of the worksheets on the MDHHS Clearinghouse website or click the images below to print them.

This bracelet-making activity is a fun way to learn about protecting the environment! As you string different colored beads, the worksheet will explain how everyday actions can affect the water we drink. Once the bracelet is tied, it reminds you that everyone has a role in keeping water clean. The activity is paired with a short video that shows why water quality is important and gives simple tips on how we can all help protect it. View the Step Up for Water Quality Bracelet Activity worksheet by clicking below.

Watch the video that goes along with the activity by visiting the Step Up for Water Quality YouTube video.

These fun kits include our Youth Activity Books, Step Up for Water Quality Bracelet activity, Dewy stickers and bookmarks, markers and colored pencils all put together in one fun drinking water themed drawstring bag.

You can order these bags on the MDHHS Clearinghouse website. There are bags available for grades kindergarten-5.

MDHHS has developed learning lessons to educate residents on how they can protect their health from environmental hazards. These learning lessons share best practices and offer educational activities to learn about reducing exposure to environmental hazards.

Lessons can range from 5 minutes to 20 minutes in length and are appropriate for both kids and adults.

You can find out more about Learning Lessons and how to request a demonstration by visiting the Community Guide on our website.

This toolkit contains prepared, science-based social media messages, graphics, videos and printable materials. These materials are designed to make sharing drinking water information easy! See the toolkit here.

Things we do every day affect the health of our environment and the quality of lakes, rivers and groundwater that become our drinking water.

Our environment is made up of the air, water, minerals, plants and animals that surround us. Everything in our environment is interconnected and you contribute to the health of the environment by being a part of it! Our drinking water, too, starts off as part of our natural environment. It begins as water in lakes, rivers or groundwater.

Our everyday actions impact the environment and our drinking water. Pollution and overuse of fertilizers release harmful contaminants into our waterways. These contaminants may end up in our drinking water. 

• If everyone in Michigan pollutes even just a little, it becomes a big problem.
• If everyone in Michigan contributes to the health of the environment, even just a little, it can have a big impact on the health of our environment and quality of our drinking water.

How to be a Clean Water Champion

There are easy ways that you can become a Clean Water Champion at home and within your community:

• The Michigan Water Stewardship Program has highlighted easy actions we can take every day to help protect our water.
• EGLE Classroom has information for teachers, interpreters and environmental educators to use to teach kids about the importance of protecting our environment.
• Sign up to become a Michigan Clean Water Ambassador!
• Volunteer your time. Many groups host river clean ups or other stewardship events. Check with your local universities and schools, or your local watershed council for opportunities to participate!
• Contact your local leaders to learn more about stewardship opportunities within your community.
• Organize your own community event. Grab a group of friends and plan your own stewardship day.

Did you know...

A person who steps up for the environment by protecting it and using natural resources responsibly is sometimes referred to as an environmental steward.

Being a Clean Water Champion means that you are doing environmental stewardship.

Protect Michigan’s Groundwater

As a state, community and individuals, we can all help protect Michigan’s groundwater. Let’s work together to ensure we have safe groundwater to use for drinking!

There are some projects in place to improve water quality around our great state! These are just a few:

• Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART)
• EGLE Source Water Protection Program
• Michigan Groundwater Discharge Program
• Michigan Water Stewardship Program
• Michigan Ground Water Association