News Release: Source water protection grants awarded to 39 community water systems

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug. 30, 2019
EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov, 517-284-9278
Jason Berndt, Environmental Quality Specialist, BerndtJ1@Michigan.gov, 989-705-3420

Source water protection grants awarded
to 39 community water systems

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) officials announced today that 39 communities will receive more than $406,000 through the Source Water Protection Grant Program to safeguard public water supply systems.  The program provides communities with matching grant financial assistance to protect their source water from contamination.  As part of the Source Water Protection Program, communities that rely on wells will define the area contributing drinking water to their wells, identify potential contaminants within that area, and implement management strategies and educational activities to protect their water supply.

Grants also are available to communities utilizing surface water as their drinking water source.  The city of Grand Rapids has been awarded a grant of $15,000 to develop and implement a Surface Water Intake Protection Plan.

The next round of applications will be solicited from public water supply systems in May 2020.  Questions regarding the Source Water Protection Program can be directed to Jason Berndt, Source Water Unit, Gaylord Field Office, Environmental Health Section, Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division, at 989-705-3420.

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