The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is a regional water authority that services about 40 percent of the water customers in the State of Michigan.
The premise of the GLWA was proposed in 2014 as a central part of Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr’s plan of adjustment in pulling the city out of bankruptcy. Under the proposal, Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties would share regional operation and control of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) in exchange for annual lease payments — an arrangement that, after some intense but cooperative negotiations, finally brought all parties together in support of the newly-formed GLWA.
On January 1, 2016, the GLWA officially stood up as an entity.
Our Mission
The Mission of the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is to exceed our customers’ expectations by utilizing best practices in the treatment and transmission of water and wastewater, while promoting healthy communities and economic growth.
Timeline
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on September 9, 2014
- Articles of Incorporation officially signed on November 25, 2014
- Authority membership: City of Detroit; Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County
- GLWA Board representation: Two (2) from City of Detroit; one each from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties; one from State of Michigan; Board members serve at the pleasure of those who appointed them (Mayor, County Executives, Governor, respectively)
- “Super majority” of five Board votes needed to approve and adopt major measures, such as rates, Capital Improvement Plan purchases, etc.
- Service area: provider of wholesale water and sewer services for roughly 40 percent of the State of Michigan’s population
- First official Board meeting held on December 12, 2014
- Authority became officially autonomous: January 1, 2016
Facts
- Authority membership: City of Detroit; Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County
- GLWA Board representation: Two (2) from City of Detroit; one each from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties; one from State of Michigan; Board members serve at the pleasure of those who appointed them (Mayor, County Executives, Governor, respectively)
- “Super majority” of five Board votes needed to approve and adopt major measures, such as rates, Capital Improvement Plan purchases, etc.
- Service area: provider of wholesale water and sewer services for roughly 40 percent of the State of Michigan’s population
General Information
