Water Treatment Pilot Plant Construction Underway 

The City of Ann Arbor has been working on a facility plan to rehabilitate the city's drinking water softening technology, some of which dates back to 1938. To help the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) planning team have full confidence in the recommended technology, the city is building a pilot plant. A pilot plant is a smaller-scale plant that tests water treatment technologies before it's implemented at full-scale, using frequent online analytics and in-lab testing to determine if the process is suitable for the large-scale plant design as predicted. The pilot plant will be used to test removal of contaminants from the city's raw water source. Treated water from the pilot plant does not enter the city's drinking water distribution system as this is a test process only.

The pilot plant with be enclosed within a two-story building. This week, the pilot plant enclosure is under construction within the fence line of the existing water treatment site on Sunset Road. If you drive by the site, you may notice a crane and extra cars parked on the street while the WTP's parking lot is used for construction. The enclosure is expected to be completed by July 24. Pilot plant construction is expected to be complete by September for pilot testing in fall.

Visitors will have the chance to visit the pilot plant once completed during the WTP open house in May 2024. You also can request a  Water Treatment Plant tour for groups of 5-15. Please visit the WTP website for more information.

Water Fact: Water bottle Hygiene

What’s in our water is important, but have you stopped to think about what you’re drinking water out of? Cleaning your reusable water bottles regularly, even if you just use them for water, helps keep them free of bacteria. Over time, these bacteria, as well as mold, can multiply, definitely not something you want to drink! 

Here are a few tips: 

• Clean your water bottle with soap and hot water on a regular basis.
• Make sure you use a brush or pipe cleaner to scrub any straws, mouth pieces and crevices your bottle may have so that you get all the germs.
• If you need to do a deep clean use a mixture of hot water and vinegar to sanitize it. 
• If the bottle is dishwasher safe, even better!
• Avoid letting your bottle sit with water left in it for long periods in between use. Empty the bottle as soon as you are finished with it. This might mean checking your child’s book bag every night to make sure the bottle is emptied out. If bottles are left at school or daycare, be sure to have your kids empty them and not drink the water left inside. Ask them to bring the bottles home to be properly cleaned.

Rain gardens + Native Plants = Win

Rain gardens can help prevent standing water, reduce stormwater bills and improve our local water quality. Native plants, which are well-adapted to the local climate and ecosystem, require less time and effort to maintain, little to no fertilizer or pesticides and little supplemental water to keep them looking great. Putting them together not only gives you a wonderful, drought proof feature, but a habitat for our favorite pollinators!

Visit www.a2gov.org/storm for information on rain gardens with links to design guidelines, details on their ability to filter stormwater, and links to Washtenaw County for resources to help get one built. If you have questions on rain gardens, Washtenaw County has a Facebook group for people to get advice and share information.

Staffing Changes at Ann Arbor Water

For many months, Brian Steglitz has been serving in dual capacity both in his new role as the Public Services Area Administrator and as the Water Treatment Plant Manager. Until a new Water Treatment Services Unit Manager is named, Molly Maciejewski will serve as the interim Water Treatment Services Unit Manager. Although Molly has spent the last eight years as the Public Works Manager, she is no stranger to drinking water or Water Treatment Services. Molly has served as the city’s Water Quality Manager and the Water Treatment Services Manager before she began her role in Public Works.

At Public Works, Molly has oversight of the water distribution system. She leads the city’s Drinking Water Advisory Council, a Council focused on lead in drinking water. And is active in the water sector, including serving in a leadership position at the Michigan Section American Water Works Association. She is also one of the city’s Board representatives to the Huron River Watershed Council. Molly holds an “F-1” drinking water treatment operator license and is excited to be back at the plant to support day-to-day activities, but also to be in involved current projects that are critical to the shape the future of Ann Arbor Water, such as the Source Water Protection Plan update and the WTP facility plan update.

July Water Champion 

Congratulations to our July Water Champion, Eileen Canfield! After 28 years with the City of Ann Arbor, Eileen will be retiring this summer. What has she enjoyed most about working for the city? Gaining an understanding of the infrastructure of the underground world of utilities that most people don't even think about when they turn on the tap or flush the toilet. 

And did you know when you saw Huron the Water Drop mascot out and about it most likely was Eileen! "Being Huron the Water Drop was especially fun," she said. "I loved being the first point of contact during events that made both kids and adults smile and feel engaged with the city." 

During her long career, Eileen has worked in public works on utilities, wastewater, and public services administration. She would also like to say a last thank you to her colleagues for the many years of support to her favorite charity, Make a Wish, with her annual bake sale. Thank you Eileen for showing us what public service excellence means! You will be missed. 

Step-by-step guide to check plumbing for lead

Older plumbing and faucets could be made of or contain lead. That means lead can get into your tap water. The only sure way to know if there is lead in your water or pipes is by testing your water or finding a trusted professional to help inspect your home.

Check Your Faucets

• Go through your home and make a list of every faucet you use for drinking, cooking, brushing your teeth or giving to your pets. Check if there are any dates on the faucet or on the box it came in if you still have it.
• Was the faucet installed before 2014?
• If yes, then it may contain lead and you should consider replacing your faucets. If you don’t know because you rent then ask your landlord or property owner if they know. Still not sure? Assume it was installed before 2014.
• If any of your faucets were installed before 2014, think about replacing them. Look for faucets made after 2014, and make sure the box says it is NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 certified or contains 0.25% lead or less.

Check Your Pipes

• To test the pipe that brings water into your home, you need a key or coin and a small magnet, like one from your refrigerator.
• If your water comes from a community water supply, like a public utility, find the pipe coming out of your basement wall or floor from the street into your home. That pipe is usually in the basement and immediately adjacent to the floor or wall.
• If your water comes from a private well, find the pressure tank and pipes that carry water in and out of the tank. You can try this test, but you might need to call a certified well driller to help you find out what material was used to build your well and connect your plumbing to the pressure tank.
• Use a key or coin to tap on the service line. Did it ring like two pieces of metal hitting together? If yes, then the pipe is probably metal. If no and it sounded dull, then the pipe is probably plastic.
• Hold the magnet to the pipe. Did it stick? If yes, then the pipe might be galvanized steel, iron or copper. If no, then the pipe might be lead, copper or plastic.
• Carefully scratch the pipe with the key or coin. Did the pipe turn a shiny silver color? If yes, then the pipe might be lead or steel. If no, then the pipe is probably plastic. If it turns shiny orange like a penny, it is probably copper.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, your water may contain lead. If you suspect any of your pipes may be made of lead, contact a licensed and insured plumber to confirm. They can also tell you what parts of your plumbing should be replaced. Locate a certified lab or contact your local health department to request a water testing kit.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/KnowYourWater.