Water Quality
A look into GLWA’s water quality standards, testing, and treatment practices.
GLWA helps ensure the water reaching your home meets treatment standards beyond state and federal requirements, and after it’s used, we treat it again before safely returning it to the environment.
Founded in 2016, the Great Lakes Water Authority is dedicated to providing safe, reliable water services that support strong communities and protect our environment for generations to come. Solidifying this commitment to stewardship and community, GLWA sees its team as guardians and defenders of public health, with a diverse workforce that reflects the very communities they serve.
Today, GLWA is a ‘Hub Utility’ that brings people together around the science of water, fostering regional collaboration and national partnerships to drive innovation and address complex water challenges and constantly improve its processes. Always looking forward, GLWA is preparing for a strong future by building resilient infrastructure and educating the next generation of water guardians.
GLWA’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) is a dynamic group of leaders pushing our sector forward by creating innovative solutions for our regional system and building a skilled workforce of water and wastewater professionals in the state of Michigan.
GLWA began operations as an independent regional water and wastewater authority, separate from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) in 2016. The formation and stand-up of GLWA was an integral part in the plan to position Detroit and southeast Michigan for long-term success. To achieve this, GLWA signed a 40-year lease for control over the DWSD treatment plants, major water transmission mains, sewage interceptors and related facilities for $50 million per year. The funds go directly toward capital improvement for the City of Detroit retail water system and to repair Detroit’s aging water infrastructure.
It took an unprecedented level of regional collaboration to form the Great Lakes Water Authority, but on January 1, 2016, we assumed operations and got to work.
Explore the work happening behind the scenes to deliver safe, reliable water every day. Each report highlights key accomplishments, financial performance, and progress toward long-term infrastructure, research, and innovation goals.