Early this winter, FLOW and students from the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) graduate program teamed up for a 16-month initiative to examine Michigan’s groundwater management and propose a statewide strategy to ensure long-term, sustainable groundwater governance.
Protecting and managing groundwater is particularly complex given the lack of comprehensive data, fragmented state authority governing water quality versus quantity, unclear and differing policies managing water quantity versus water quality, and the lack of public education and knowledge. Over the last five years, an increasing number of state agencies, scientific experts, philanthropy, and nonprofits have raised awareness of this understudied, underfunded, and underappreciated resource that is integral to the health and well-being of all Great Lakes waters. Building on these previous groundwater reports and assessments, FLOW, in partnership with the University of Michigan’s SEAS, will develop a strategy for groundwater reform that addresses quantity, quality, and justice challenges; and offers regulatory, statutory, and institutional structural recommendations. Specifically, the SEAS students will conduct:
- A systematic review and gap analysis of Michigan’s current groundwater authorities, programs, and processes;
- A Technical analysis of groundwater information availability and gaps;
- A review of and analysis of successful groundwater protection policies and frameworks from other states, US regions, and other nations and their applicability in Michigan
- A set of stakeholder and rights holders interviews and focus groups to determine feasible next steps for a water strategy; and
- A summary of scientific findings and policy recommendations to address Michigan’s groundwater governance.
We asked the SEAS graduate students to share their perspectives about this groundwater project:
Lillian Wege
What is something people don’t know about groundwater, that you wish they did?
I wish more people knew how connected surface water and groundwater are. When we think about protecting water in Michigan, a lot of people think about mitigating pollution in the Great Lakes. But groundwater is susceptible to pollution from many activities – from residential septic systems to farms and factories – and all our water in the Great Lakes basin is connected. Groundwater is especially tricky because contamination moves, eventually ending up in surface water bodies like lakes, and we don’t track that in Michigan. If you care about protecting the Great Lakes, or even if you just love to swim once the water gets warm enough in July, you should be thinking about protecting groundwater, too!
Emma Welsh
If you could change one thing about the state’s management of groundwater, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about the state’s management of groundwater, it would be the addition of a statewide septic code. Historically, septic systems 
have been regulated by local governments and local health department codes. Currently, only 11 out of 83 Michigan counties have established septic codes that require inspections at the point of property sale; other counties do not have regulations for regular inspection. Without consistent inspections or maintenance requirements, failing septic systems can go unnoticed for years, potentially contaminating groundwater that rural communities depend on for drinking. As someone from rural Michigan, where we rely on well water and septic systems, I feel as though it’s important to establish a statewide code to help ensure that all systems are functioning properly, regardless of where you live.
Paige Lund
What do you hope will be the outcome of this project?
I hope that our team is able to positively contribute to the ongoing and complex conversation regarding groundwater resources in Michigan. A lot of great work has already been done in this field and we hope that our research and findings will help to synthesize existing knowledge and data. We intend to research and gather guidance from Michigan community members, state regulators, and examples set by other states, in order to create a statewide strategy that integrates groundwater quantity, quality, interconnected surface waters, and justice challenges. Through doing so, it is our goal to advance Michigan’s approach to groundwater management through proposing a comprehensive, strategic, and effective plan for the state. Overall, our hope is that this work will inform advocacy organizations and provide tangible recommendations to state agencies in a manner that is both actionable and uplifting for all impacted parties.
Stephanie Smith
What is something the state is doing right on groundwater policy?
One component of Michigan’s groundwater policy that sets a strong example for other states is our integration of a permanent Water Use Advisory 
Council (WUAC). This council opens a crucial avenue for dialogue between community members, the private sector, and the state’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. By bringing together these parties to discuss the current policy and management landscape, the State is proactive in addressing emerging concerns with its groundwater policies and programming. Members identify gaps in resource monitoring and potential areas of growth for water withdrawals. The biennial reports released by Michigan’s WUAC are great resources to inform next steps for groundwater in the state, and have been important references for our team as we begin to build out our strategy report. Our work aims to build on past WUAC reports through community engagement, case studies, and action steps that engage not just policymakers, but also advocacy groups and the private sector.
Ashutosh Mirashe
How does this project support your career goals?
My long-term goal is to work at the intersection of environmental policy and sustainable systems, and community-driven resource management, and this project provides me the opportunity to support my goals. As someone experienced with corporate sustainability initiatives, I have seen how policy, data, and stakeholder engagement can be integrated to drive a meaningful impact. Through this capstone with FLOW, I’m deepening my skills in groundwater governance, spatial analysis, and strategic planning, the tools I aim to carry forward into my career in environmental consulting or policy making. I’m gaining skills by contributing to real-world solutions, while aligning my passion for equitable and science-based environmental management.
Kelsey Campana
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learn during this project so far?
The background research we have done so far has led me to learn a lot of interesting facts about groundwater. Many complex and interrelated threats to groundwater affect both quality and quantity. When thinking about water in Michigan, quantity concerns may not be top of mind, however, as I have learned in some places throughout Michigan, this is a real threat. Although Michigan’s groundwater is roughly equivalent to that of Lake Huron, aquifers are being depleted faster than they can be replenished, which can further amplify quality issues. The competition for groundwater is growing, and this challenge, along with many others, must be adequately addressed if we hope to have sustainable water practices for generations to come.
