Dear Friend of FLOW,

Protecting the water we can see—inland lakes, streams, the Great Lakes—is not enough. The beauty of those waters is linked to the water we cannot see—groundwater. Mingled with underground soils and rock, groundwater plays a vital role in replenishing and refreshing surface waters. But our laws, policies, and stewardship practices frequently overlook groundwater. It’s out of sight, out of mind.

There are many reasons to protect groundwater, but one of the most compelling is that over 4 million Michigan residents use it as their primary source of drinking water.

In a new report and accompanying groundwater story map we are releasing today, key stakeholders call for change to protect our precious water by making groundwater a state priority for protection and conservation. The report, Building Consensus: Securing Protection of Michigan’s Groundwater, reflects the work of 22 knowledgeable and influential stakeholders from local government, academia, regulatory agencies, and environmental and justice organizations who participated in the Michigan Groundwater Table convened by FLOW. Groundwater Table members met remotely over a year, coming to general agreement on findings regarding the state of Michigan’s groundwater, while discussing potential policy solutions related to polluter pay, private wells, agricultural stewardship, statewide septic code, public education, and data tools.

Groundwater Table members agreed that Michigan’s groundwater is a “critical and often overlooked resource,” vital to the state’s public health, agriculture and other businesses, coldwater fisheries, stream ecology, and wetlands, and accounts for at least 25% of the total water inflow to the Great Lakes via groundwater inflow into tributaries. They also found that Michigan has underinvested in monitoring, mapping, and reporting groundwater quantity and quality.

It is a hopeful sign that these diverse stakeholders could agree on the importance of groundwater, and some of the steps to protect it. Together we can bridge gaps to protect the water we cannot see.

The immersive story map, meanwhile, takes you on a visual journey from the groundwater basics to unique ecosystems, threats, and protection.

Please read our new Building Consensus groundwater report and dive into the story map to gain insights into the water we cannot see—and cannot live without. And be sure to share all the new content with your contacts too, because our vital groundwater resource is there for all of us to enjoy and protect together.

In solidarity,

Liz Kirkwood, Executive Director

P.S.—Be sure to join us on June 15 for a conversation with Maude Barlow, a Canadian author and water activist who recently published her new book, Still Hopeful: Lessons from a Lifetime of Activism. FLOW’s 6:00 p.m. EDT, June 15, livestream conversation with Maude will feature Jim Olson’s video homage to his dear friend and fellow water protector. Click here to register for the free event.