Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester announced today that 43 communities would receive more than $699,000 through the Wellhead Protection Grant Program to safeguard public water supply systems. The program provides communities with financial assistance to protect their groundwater supplies from contamination. As part of the Wellhead Protection Program, communities delineate the land area contributing drinking water to their public wells, identify potential contaminants within that area, and implement management strategies and educational activities to protect the water supply.

"Nearly half of Michigan's citizens rely on groundwater for their drinking water supply, so it is imperative that those sources are kept clean and safe," said Director Chester. "These grants provide the tools necessary to protect our public groundwater supply systems from contamination."

The list of grant recipients is available on the DEQ's website at: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-wb-dwehs-swpu-whpgrantsawarded2008_236103_7.pdf

Questions regarding the program or these grants can be directed to Scott Ross, Chief of the DEQ's Source Water Protection Unit, at (517) 335-3385.

The next round of applications will be solicited from public water supply systems in January, 2009.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised June 17, 2008 by Pat Watson