Source Water Intake Protection Plan

Water defines Muskegon and the surrounding communities. Protecting our drinking water has implications for future land management decisions and recreation. The purpose of the SWIPP is to protect Muskegon's drinking water supply and this plan is intended to address potentional contaminant sources.

A Source Water Intake Protection Plan is a voluntary endeavor strongly supported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), formerly the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s (MDEQ).

A SWIPP should focus on seven basic elements, as outlined by EGLE.

1.        Defining roles and duties of government units and water supply agencies.
   

2.        Designating a source water protection area for each water supply source based on the state’s defined source water area.
   

3.        Identifying potential contaminant sources within each source water protection area.
   

4.        Utilizing management approaches for protection of source water, including but not limited to education and regulatory approaches.
   

5.        Creating contingency plans for public water supply sources including the location of alternate drinking water sources.
   

6.        Assuring proper siting on new water sources to minimize potential contamination.
   

7.        Encouraging public participation
   

The purpose of the SWIPP is to protect the long-term viability of Muskegon’s drinking water supply by reducing the potential risk of surface and subsurface contamination from affecting the source water protection area. The scope of this plan is to develop policies, procedures, and action items designed to ensure the safety of the water supply, now and in the future. This plan is intended to address potential contaminant sources that may threaten the intake and Lake Michigan. Fortunately, the Muskegon Water Filtration Plant has never had a violation of water quality standard or contaminant, issuance of boil water advisories, or closure of the intake.

The City of Muskegon Source Water Intake Protection Plan update was approved by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) on August 29, 2023.