The City Council receives a detailed presentation of the important water safety initiative, highlighting the expansion of the protection area and the improvement of the contaminant inventory.

Image: Google Streetview, June 2024

The Saline City Council recently received an update on the Wellhead Protection Plan (WHPP) from Jennifer Morris, Principal at OHM Advisors, during its August 19 meeting. The presentation emphasized the importance of updating the WHPP, a program that is critical to ensuring the safety and sustainability of the city’s drinking water supply.

The WHPP is a voluntary program designed to protect groundwater that feeds into the city’s public water supply. Although it is not required in Michigan, Saline has been actively participating in this initiative since 2000, reflecting its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of the community. The plan has been updated regularly, with significant changes made in 2013 and now in 2024 to reflect changes in land use and water needs.

Morris emphasized the importance of these updates, noting, “The Wellhead Protection Plan is more than just a regulatory checklist—it is a proactive approach to preventing contamination and ensuring our water resources are safe for future generations.” This latest update was funded in part by a grant that required the city to hold quarterly team meetings and submit progress reports to demonstrate a collaborative effort to maintain and improve the plan.

One of the most important aspects of the update was a detailed review of the existing plan and procedures. This review provided a clearer picture of the current protection status of Saline’s wells and identified areas that can be improved. A key outcome was the expansion of the Well Protection Area (WHPA), which now reflects the increased water use since the plan began. “We expanded the protection area to ensure it meets current water needs and not only meets our current needs, but also plans for future growth,” Morris explained.

The updated WHPP also includes a comprehensive inventory of potential sources of contaminants in the City. This inventory helps make informed land use decisions that can prevent groundwater contamination, thereby protecting the City’s drinking water from threats such as leaking underground storage tanks or industrial spills.

City officials were particularly pleased with the comprehensive update. Council member Dean Girbach praised the work, saying, “This plan is a critical tool in our ongoing efforts to protect our water supply. It’s not just about meeting today’s needs, but also about planning for the future.”

The WHPP update is scheduled to be submitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) later this month, with a review scheduled in the next few weeks. Once approved, the updated plan will guide the city’s water conservation strategies for the next five years, with a significant emphasis on public education and regional collaboration to ensure successful implementation.