Protect the Source!

We care about our surface water. That's why we follow federal requirements set out to keep you and our environment safe. In 1996, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) established a new requirement under Section 1453 of the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act for each state to develop a Source Water Assessment and Protection Program (SWAP) to assess all public drinking water supply sources.  SWAP has two components: assessment and protection. The assessment component requires all states to provide Source Water Assessment to each public water supply system. The second component of SWAP, protection, is voluntary and consists of developing a Surface Water Intake Protection Program (SWIPP). 

In 2020, the City adopted the Source Water Intake Protection Program (SWIPP). The SWIPP serves to establish measures for protecting Lake Michigan, our community's source of drinking water, and it is an effective way to reduce risks to public health, instill customer confidence, and control water treatment costs. Addressing water quality concerns at the source also has many other environmental and societal benefits that treatment alone cannot solve.

The Grand River and its tributaries directly feed into Lake Michigan, and there are several points where contamination may happen. Potential contaminants include urban runoff, agricultural runoff, chemical contamination, leaking underground storage tanks, industrial users, and wastewater treatment plants.

We are partnering with community organizations to advance our commitment to delivering safe drinking water to our community. SWIPP is a proactive initiative to identify and manage contaminants that may put our drinking water source at risk.

We have identified 14 strategies to address protection zones and available options for protecting our source water. Additional strategies have been developed that will focus on building partnerships with community members and businesses and raising awareness for protecting the drinking water supply in our community.

Objectives                    Strategies                       
 Alternate/Emergency Intake Ensure the emergency risers are operational and implement a regular testing and maintenance schedule.
Source Water Sampling Monitoring Program  Analyzing source water quality data has three monitoring components: Lower Grand River Watershed, Near Shore, and Nearby Public Water Supplies.
Wastewater and Concentrated AFO Facility-Related Stream Surveys Assemble wastewater treatment plant and agribusiness/concentrated AFO effluent chemistry.
Early Warning Monitoring (EWM) Systems Develop an early warning monitoring system with a real-time component.
Promote Public Education in the Lakeshore area Provide the means for community involvement and encourage free flow of information and to enhance the partnership roles.
Facilitate Community Involvement, Build Relationships, and Emphasize Education 
 Develop effective partnerships with academic institutions, businesses, industries, and community based environmental groups.
Install Water Supply Area – Alert Signs at key locations Install Water Supply Area – Alert Signs at key locations to raise awareness about drinking water protection.
Collaboration with Northwest Ottawa Water Treatment Plant / City of Grand Haven Collaborate with the City of Grand Haven to create and implement efficient management.
Collaboration with Grand Valley State University  Identify potential academic research programs related to the goals of the SWIPP.
Drinking Water Protection Resolution for SWIPP Develop a mutually beneficial resolution to aid in implementing SWIPP activities.
Code Compliance for the investigation and enforcement of environmental violations.  Develop stakeholder BMPs outlining laws and permits that set limits on what pollutants they may emit to the water, and how they must protect the land they occupy. 
Collaborate with Conservation District, Farm Service Agency, NRCS, Farm Bureau, and Michigan Extension Offices  Generate a list of farmers within the SWA and schedule educational meetings.  
Petroleum Transmission Lines and Storage Tanks (ASTs/USTs).  Locate oil transmission networks that pose environmental hazards and additional sites (e.g., leaking storage tanks) in the SWA. 
PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Monitoring Program  Develop a program for PFAS and other emerging contaminants that identifies sources and monitors their impact.

There are several ways you can get involved and be a steward for your community water supply. Below are just a few of the everyday actions you can take to make a positive impact.

1. Think Twice about Lawn and Garden Chemicals

Limit the use of pesticides or fertilizers, and always follow the label directions. Many fertilizers and pesticides contain harmful chemicals which can travel through the soil and contaminate groundwater or run off in stormwater to rivers, streams, and lakes.  

2. Dispose of harmful materials properly 

Don't pour hazardous waste down the sink, on the ground, or into storm sewers. This could contaminate the soil, groundwater, or nearby surface water. A number of products used at home contain hazardous or toxic substances that can contaminate ground or surface waters, such as:

  • Motor oil
  • Pesticides
  • Leftover paints or paint cans
  • Mothballs
  • Household cleaners
  • Medicines 

Michigan's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program has more advice on how to safely manage and reduce the use of these materials. 

3. Wash your car responsibly 

Soaps used in driveway car washes eventually drain to our waterways and are harmful to aquatic life. Here are some tips for an environmentally friendly wash:

  • Use a commercial car wash. They are required to treat dirty water and also use water-efficient nozzles.
  • Wash your car on gravel or grass. These surfaces can filter dirty water before it enters the ground. It also keeps pollutants out of our rivers and streams.
  • Dump your wash water down the toilet. Household wastewater is treated before it re-enters our waterways.

4.  Volunteer in your community 

Take action by educating yourself and urging your community to get involved.

Find or start a group dedicated to source water protection, become a water steward, or join a beach, wetland, or river clean-up! 

 

Learn More about Source Water Protection

To learn what source water protection involves and why it is important, start a conversation with the Grand Rapids Water System! Email us at water@grcity.us

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