In March 2017, the city of Niles received the Michigan Rural Water Association 2017 Exemplary Efforts in Environmental Protection Award.
The purpose of the award is to recognize a water or wastewater system which has demonstrated exemplary initiatives, projects or education on the critical role of the utility in Environmental Protection to the Public.
Because residents in the city of Niles depend on clean, safe groundwater to supply homes, industries and recreational activities, a voluntary Wellhead Protection Program was developed more than 20 years ago.
The WHPP is a planning and management program aimed at protecting the city’s groundwater supplies from contamination.
The city established a WHPP Committee to oversee the program and defined local Wellhead Protection Areas. To protect these areas, potential and existing sources of contamination were mapped and plans were developed to provide education and activities to inform the public about groundwater protection. Additionally, the city is considering adopting an expanded Wellhead Protection Ordinance to further protect the city’s water supply.
Kelly Hon, the Michigan Rural Water Association Source Water Protection Specialist was contracted by the city to work with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to secure wellhead protection grant funding for the City. With secured funding, the WHPP is able to partner with the Niles-Buchanan YMCA Summer My Way program to educate youth about the water cycle and the importance of water protection.
The city, with MRWA, identified a strong team of professionals to assist in the implementation of the city’s WHPP.
A special thank you to the current WHPP Committee:
• Jeff Dunlap
• Gregg Watson
• Mark Bachman
• Sanya Phillips
• Larry Lamb
• Tina McGowan
• Josh Teeter
• Dave Morse
• Gary Schrader
• Denise Peters
• Matt Pagano
• Kelly Hon
In addition to the current committee, several other individuals played a key role in the success of the program in the past. These included Juan Ganum, Michael Vota, J.W. Rossow and Johnnie Hall.
“The WHPP offers a unique opportunity to educate the entire community about the importance of groundwater protection,” said Sanya Phillips, Niles community development director.
To learn more about the Michigan WHPP or to get involved on the Niles WHPP Committee, contact Jeff Dunlap, City of Niles Utilities Manager at jdunlap@nilesmi.org.