MDEQ is Asking Where to Check on Water Quality

The MDEQ is asking residents about water quality testing for lakes and streams.

Waterways Aerial

Sandra Svoboda

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is asking residents where they should look to check up on the state’s water quality.

The department is evaluating where and how it monitors surface water in the state.

Jeff Varricchione is an aquatic biologist at the DEQ. He says the department’s current strategy is to assess the status of bodies of water in the state.

“We are open to seeing if we can detect new and emerging water quality problems that we may not have a lot of information about,” Varricchione says. “We also use this monitoring to see how well our water quality protecting programs are working.”

Varricchione says the protection programs oversee how well industrial facilities, agricultural facilities, and development projects follow water quality security guidelines.

Michiganders interested can submit a monitoring request form online by November 30th

Author

  • Bre'Anna Tinsley
    Bre'Anna Tinsley is a reporter for Detroit Public Radio, 101.9 WDET. She covers city government and housing, as well as co-hosting the "Detroit Evening Report" podcast.