Groundwater is
the primary source of water for public and private
use in the tri-county region of Clinton, Eaton
and Ingham Counties. Residents, businesses and
agriculture all take advantage of the high quality
water provided by local aquifers. The Saginaw
Formation is the primary aquifer in the region.
The water within in the Saginaw moves at a rate
of less than one foot per day.
The natural quality of local
water is high but some necessary additions are
made at local treatment plants. Chloramines are
used as a disinfectant to prevent waterborne disease.
Fluoride is added to improve long-term dental
health. To soften the hard water found in the
Saginaw Formation lime and soda ash are added.
Local utilities test municipal water supplies
hourly insuring the water sent out is safe and
meets all federal guidelines. This careful oversight
meets the high standards of today’s water
industry while improving the safety and viability
of our groundwater supplies.
The cost of local water, to
be delivered to your home through your utilities
water supply system is about $1.80 per thousand
gallons. Quite a bargain when compared to the
cost of bottled water. With careful management
the tri-county region expects to have an adequate
supply of groundwater for the foreseeable future.
A significant part of local
management plans for assuring a safe water supply
for the long term is the implementation of wellhead
protection programs. Wellhead protection is a
preventative program designed to protect a public
water supply. The goal is to prevent contaminants
from entering public supply wells.
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Aquifer
An underground layer
of rock, sand or gravel that contains
water in sufficient quantities to
supply a well. |
|
Each community establishes a
local team to write a wellhead protection program.
The program is designed to protect public water
supply systems from potential sources of groundwater
contamination. It is done by forming a wellhead
protection team to delineate the areas that
need protection, taking an inventory of potential
sources of contamination, using appropriate
management strategies, developing contingency
plans, planning for future wells and encouraging
public involvement in the process.
There are several sources you
can contact for additional information about your
water. Your local utility has information such
as the Consumer Confidence Report, which is published
each year. Your elected board or council members
can provide you with information about local government
practices and policies that are used to protect
drinking water. You are also encouraged to look
around this website which provides dozens of links
and a detailed glossary.
Septic Tanks
For a septic system to work
properly with a minimum impact to the environment
it must be:
Water conservation is also important to extend
the life of the drain field and not saturate
the area beyond its ability to cope. Things
that should not enter the septic system are:
-
Solvents
-
Drain cleaners
-
Oils
-
Paints
-
Pharmaceuticals
-
Pesticides
-
Grease
-
Coffee grounds
-
Cigarettes
These things can interfere with the proper
operation of the septic system and can contribute
to the buildup of solids in the tank. Also,
many wastes, such as solvents and pharmaceuticals,
are not removed in a septic tank and can eventually
end up in the groundwater.
Things to keep away from the drain field:
-
Vehicles and heavy equipment
-
Trees should not be planted
over the drain field
-
No construction or impervious
surfaces should be near the drain field
