Plymouth Township

Water quality is vital to Plymouth Township and our region. Plymouth Township partners with the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) to meet state and federal water quality standards, including the Lead and Copper Rule. With the Great Lakes as our water source and proven treatment systems, GLWA consistently delivers safe water to our community.

Plymouth Township manages the network of water mains that transport this water to your home's service line. This year's Water Quality Report highlights the performance of GLWA and Plymouth Township water professionals in providing high-quality municipal water. We remain committed to protecting public health and maintaining transparent communication about your water supply.

Source Water Assessment
Our water originates from Detroit Water, located within Lake St. Clair and various watersheds across the U.S. and Canada. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, in partnership with GLWA and other agencies, conducted a source water assessment in 2004 to determine contamination susceptibility. The assessment used a seven-tiered scale from "very low" to "very high" based on geologic sensitivity, water chemistry, and contamination sources.

While our Detroit River source water intakes were determined to be highly susceptible to potential contamination, all four Detroit water treatment plants have historically provided satisfactory treatment to meet drinking water standards. GLWA has implemented source-water protection measures including chemical control, spill response, and a mercury reduction program.

What's In Your Water?
Municipal water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals from natural sources, urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, and farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants occurring naturally or resulting from oil/gas production

Special Health Considerations
Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Immunocompromised persons—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly, and infants—may be particularly at risk. These individuals should seek advice from their healthcare providers about drinking water safety.

Important Lead Information
Safe water is a shared responsibility. GLWA's water does not contain lead when delivered to our community. Lead can enter water through home plumbing fixtures and, in some cases, service lines. Orthophosphates are added during treatment to create a protective coating in service pipes throughout the system.

Plymouth Township conducts required lead and copper sampling in our community. Residents also have responsibility to maintain their home plumbing and can take steps to limit lead exposure. If present, elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize potential lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.

Plymouth Township and the Great Lakes Water Authority are dedicated to safeguarding our water supply and delivering quality water to protect public health. Please contact us with any questions or concerns about your water.

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