2025 Drinking Water Survey Highlights

Drinking Water Survey Background

In August 2021, The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) surveyed Michiganders to learn how well they know their drinking water. Responses were valuable and helped MDHHS learn where to focus project efforts to protect Michiganders’ health. This survey also helped drive media campaign strategies. 

Results of the Drinking Water Survey from 2021 are available on our website under the Learn More tab in the “Reports and Articles” section. 

Then, MDHHS conducted another survey in Spring of 2025 to measure the impact of recent outreach efforts like website updates, social media, new fact sheets and media campaign advertising.

We will use this information
to continue to shape program
efforts and build partnerships with
community agencies.

MDHHS Drinking Water Survey Responses by Region

2025 Survey Results

Of the 800 people who responded to the survey, 43% reported that they saw outreach about drinking water over the past few months. The following are key takeaways from the survey:

Private residential well owners

Most respondents who were well owners (76%) agreed they are responsible for their own well system and most (58%) had looked into the well testing guidelines for their area. But 48% said they did not know what part of their well they should have inspected.

Regular well inspections and drinking water testing are an important part of private well maintenance to protect your drinking water and health. For more information on private well maintenance visit Eh.Michigan.gov/CareforMiWellMaintenance.

Public water supply customers

Most respondents who were water supply customers (62%) reported not being told about their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). However, if they did receive one, 72% read it and 62% understood at least some of
the report.

CCRs provide information about the quality of your drinking water. For more information about accessing and understanding your CCR, visit Eh.Michigan.gov/PublicWaterSupply.

Testing

Of private well owners surveyed, 29% of respondents reported testing their drinking water in the past three years. The top reason for not testing was because “I think my water quality is fine” (31%).

Testing is the only way to know what contaminants may be in your drinking water. For information on when and what you should test your private well water for visit Eh.Michigan.gov/MiWell-Test.

Keep your water moving

Most people (72%) run their water until cold before drinking it. But only 23% said the reason for choosing to run their water until cold before drinking was to improve water quality and reduce drinking water
contaminants.

Water quality problems can happen when water sits in your home plumbing for too long. You can maintain your home’s water quality by keeping your water moving. Learn more at Eh.Michigan.gov/DW5Tips.

Clean your faucet aerator

Half of people who responded reported cleaning the aerator on their faucet.

Cleaning your faucet’s aerator routinely can help to reduce the chance of drinking water contamination. For more information about cleaning your aerators, visit Eh.Michigan.gov/CleaningYourAerators.

Check your home's plumbing

Just over half (52%) of people who responded to the survey know what type of plumbing is installed in their home.

It is important to know what the plumbing in your home is made of to know if there are risks of drinking water contamination. To learn more about checking your home’s plumbing, visit
Eh.Michigan.gov/HomePlumbingChecklist.

People who saw outreach about drinking water were more likely to take action to improve their drinking water quality.

• Private well owners who saw information about well inspections were more likely to check their well (58%) than those who did not (46%).
• 42% of people who saw outreach materials about drinking water had tested their drinking water in the past three years, compared to only 20% of those who didn’t see any.
• Public water supply customers who saw information about how to read a CCR were more likely to understand it (39%) than those who didn’t (26%).

Learn More

If you would like to view a printed version of this survey infographic or one of our previous newsletters, they are posted on our Care for MI Drinking Water Learn More webpage.

A little bit about the newsletter

Thank you for subscribing to our Drinking Water and Health Newsletter. We are excited to share important information with you! Through this newsletter, our goal is to help you stay informed about your drinking water quality and what role you play in protecting it. This newsletter will offer science-based, up-to-date information about how harmful substances in drinking water can affect health. It will provide you with resources to help you better understand your likelihood of exposure to contaminants and help you make informed decisions to protect yourself and your family.

As a subscriber, you will also be updated about virtual, local and state-wide educational opportunities for you and your family to get involved in. This edition is about the 2025 Drinking Water Survey Highlights.