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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2023
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278
Kristina Donaldson, Clean Water Public Advocate, [email protected], 517-285-8140
EGLE's Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate kicks off Drinking Water Week
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) kicks off?Drinking Water Week today, which also includes Private Residential Well Awareness Day on Tuesday, May 9th.
EGLE?s Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate (OCWPA), in collaboration with other state divisions and agencies, is showcasing this week to educate the public on their drinking water and provide tips that residents can use to help ensure they have quality tap water by connecting residents to state drinking water resources.
?There are actions all of us can take to support healthy drinking water, from protecting the source to replacing old plumbing and fixtures in our homes,? said Kris Donaldson, EGLE?s Clean Water Public Advocate.
The information and resources at Michigan.gov/DrinkingWaterWeek can help people learn where their drinking water comes from, how they can find out what?s in it, who to contact with concerns, and actions they can take to support healthy drinking water in their homes. Knowing your water supply is key to learning about your water quality and determining who to contact with questions. Depending on your water supply, your local health department or water supplier is likely your best resource for answering questions about your water. ?
Private Residential Well Awareness Day recognizes the 2.6 million Michiganders who depend on private wells for their drinking water, as well the responsibilities of well owners to properly maintain and test their wells. Michigan has over one million private residential wells! Drinking Water Week highlights important resources about well maintenance and testing found on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services? (MDHHS) Care for MiWell?(Michigan.gov/EnviroHealth) website. Most contaminants have no taste, color, or smell. The only way you might know if you have a problem is to test your drinking water.
Information on lead and PFAS are also provided to help residents learn what these contaminants are and where they come from, if they may be a concern in their drinking water and, if so, what residents should do. The water coming to your home may already be regularly tested for certain contaminants depending on your water supply.
For Michigan?s teachers and educators, or anyone with a young Michigander at home, there are also activities for kids and links to EGLE Classroom?s?(Michigan.gov/EGLEClassroom) wonderful resources, like EGLE?s Lending Station and the EnviroSchool Webinar series.
For more information about Drinking Water Week, visit Michigan.gov/DrinkingWaterWeek.
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