Project Summary
Project Title: “Water Infrastructure Regional Planning (State of Michigan)”
Every parent deserves to trust the water coming from their tap. That’s why Michigan’s universities worked with the state to rethink how drinking water systems are managed, from how they’re funded to how they protect against lead.
This statewide effort examined how water quality varies from one community to another and identified ways to make improvements more affordable and equitable. The team brought together scientists, local officials, and families to develop clear recommendations for improving communication during water crises, sharing data across agencies, and prioritizing upgrades in low-income areas.
By working together instead of in silos, Michigan is setting a new standard for ensuring that every child, no matter their ZIP code, has access to clean, safe water.
The Michigan Executive Order 2021-9 Task 6 Regional Planning Project, led by the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, responded to Governor Whitmer’s directive to comprehensively strengthen Michigan’s drinking water systems. The project’s completion marks an important advance in ensuring safe drinking water for all residents through research, stakeholder engagement, and coordinated regional efforts.
The rationale for this initiative was rooted in Michigan’s urgent need to address persistent challenges in drinking water safety, regulatory oversight, funding disparities, and infrastructure sustainability. Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order called for EGLE and MDHHS to review prevention and response mechanisms for water quality issues and to recommend measures that provide every parent confidence in their child’s drinking water. The scope encompassed evaluating statewide regulatory structures, resource allocations, community education, data systems, and opportunities for reform, with special attention to protection against lead and regional service equity.
The primary objective was to develop actionable strategies for regional planning in sourcing, treating, and delivering drinking water, with the goal of equitable infrastructure investments and high-quality outcomes at the lowest cost. The approach involved a structured review of regulatory frameworks, funding models, stakeholder needs, and barriers that prevent efficient delivery of services to vulnerable communities. University collaboration was central, with the Michigan Center for Freshwater Innovation providing multidisciplinary expertise and leadership from UM, WSU, and MSU to ensure rigorous analysis, innovative thinking, and impartial recommendations.
Project activities included comprehensive reviews of current rules and practices, stakeholder engagement and education efforts, collaborative workshops, and the development of regional planning models for shared services. The team produced monthly billing summaries, developed an actionable project timeline, and facilitated integration of technical expertise across institutions. Anticipated outcomes included recommendations for enhanced legal protections, improved funding access especially for low-income communities, systems for rapid communication during water crises, actionable lead reduction strategies, and formalized best practices for data sharing and management. These outcomes were designed not only for immediate implementation but as foundations for future resilience and adaptation.
Broader Impacts
The impacts of this project extend beyond technical solutions. Through collaborative engagement across state agencies, universities, and communities, the work supports equitable access to safe drinking water, empowers underserved populations, and promotes sustainability in infrastructure investments. The project builds capacity for future coordinated responses to emerging contaminants and water supply stressors, strengthens multi-level governance, and identifies scalable models for other states facing similar challenges. By advancing research-informed policy and regional planning, the initiative sets new standards for public health protection and transparent, sustainable water management in Michigan.
Funder: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Environment (EGLE)
Budget: $366,746
Partners: University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Michigan State University
Period of Performance: 2022-2023