Latest Testing Results

• Lead Levels: The most recent testing period (January-December 2023) showed 90th percentile lead levels of 11.2 parts per billion (ppb), below the EPA action level of 15 ppb but indicating ongoing challenges with aging infrastructure and lead service lines.
• PFAS Status: Great Lakes Water Authority reports no PFAS detected in treated drinking water samples since annual testing began in 2009, though 59 southeast Michigan water systems show detectable PFAS levels.
• Testing Scope: DWSD conducts extensive water quality testing with over 50,000 annual tests, including enhanced lead monitoring at high-risk residential sites throughout the city.
• Compliance Status: Detroit’s water meets all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining compliance with EPA and Michigan DEQ regulations despite distribution system challenges.

Great Lakes Water Source

• Detroit River Intake: Primary water source from the Detroit River, drawing from Lake Huron’s outflow before it enters Lake Erie, providing naturally soft, high-quality freshwater.
• Source Water Protection: Comprehensive monitoring and protection programs safeguard intake areas from contamination, with real-time detection systems for potential threats including BASF facility discharge upstream.
• Abundant Supply: Access to the Great Lakes system ensures reliable water supply with virtually unlimited capacity for regional needs.

Treatment Excellence

• Modern Treatment Plants: Three major facilities (Water Works Park, Northeast, and Springwells) employ comprehensive treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and advanced disinfection.
• UV Disinfection: State-of-the-art ultraviolet treatment provides additional protection against Cryptosporidium and Giardia without chemical byproducts.
• Corrosion Control: Optimized orthophosphate treatment minimizes lead leaching, with careful pH adjustment and alkalinity management to protect pipes.

Infrastructure Challenges and Solutions

• Lead Service Line Program: Detroit has identified approximately 80,000 lead service lines and launched an accelerated replacement program, targeting 1,000-2,000 replacements annually.
• Main Replacement Initiative: Over $500 million invested in water main replacements since 2020, prioritizing areas with highest leak rates and oldest infrastructure.
• Smart Water Management: Advanced metering infrastructure deployment includes leak detection capabilities and real-time monitoring to improve system efficiency.

Regional Water Quality Concerns

• PFAS in Metro Detroit: While GLWA’s treated water shows no PFAS detection, 59 southeast Michigan water systems have detectable levels, including systems in Mount Clemens, Independence Township, and Wyandotte.
• Detroit River Pollution: BASF’s Wyandotte facility discharges estimated 72,000 gallons per day of contaminated groundwater containing PFAS, mercury, arsenic, and other chemicals 1,700 feet from Wyandotte’s water intake.
• Private Well Risk: Over 165,000 private wells in metro Detroit counties lack routine PFAS monitoring, with potential contamination risks.

Regional Transformation

The 2020 creation of the Great Lakes Water Authority marked a transformation in regional water management, bringing Detroit’s wholesale water operations under regional governance while allowing DWSD to focus on retail service improvements. This restructuring has enabled significant capital investments, including over $800 million in treatment plant upgrades and distribution system improvements through 2030. Detroit’s water quality initiatives include comprehensive customer assistance programs, expanded lead testing, and community engagement efforts to rebuild trust while maintaining the high-quality Great Lakes water that has historically made Detroit a regional water hub. However, residents should be aware of regional PFAS concerns affecting surrounding communities and ongoing pollution sources in the Detroit River watershed.