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OHM Advisors presents wellhead-protection tools to East Lansing Planning Commission
Summary
OHM Advisors reviewed regional wellhead-protection practices for the Saginaw aquifer, recommended zoning and site-review tools, and showed outreach resources including interactive 'story maps' and classroom lessons; commissioners welcomed the resources and QR cards for public distribution.
Christine Spitzley of OHM Advisors presented an overview of wellhead protection to the East Lansing Planning Commission, explaining how the Saginaw aquifer underpins municipal and private drinking-water supplies in the Tri-County region and describing tools local governments use to reduce contamination risks.
Spitzley said wellhead protection grew from EPA guidance and that Michigan has adopted a voluntary, incentive-based approach. She described standard management actions — establishing a wellhead protection team with public-health and planning representation; delineating time-of-travel capture zones for municipal wells; and using zoning overlays, site-plan review, building-code provisions and contingency plans to limit contamination risk and reduce treatment costs.
The presenter showed two public-facing resources: an adult-targeted interactive “story map” (Esri Experiences) and a children’s lesson package adapted from a regional water festival previously hosted at Michigan State University. Spitzley said the materials explain where water comes from, how it is treated, and what residents and schools can do to protect groundwater. She noted a Tri-County Wellhead Protection Viewer is available for site-plan review, enabling staff or developers to inspect nearby potential contaminant sources such as leaking underground storage tanks, landfills and hospitals.
Commissioners thanked Spitzley and asked about classroom activities and QR codes; Spitzley said she brought printed cards with QR links and offered follow-up assistance. No formal action or policy changes were adopted at the meeting; the presentation served as an informational briefing and a reference for future local planning and development reviews.
The presentation drew attention to the regional nature of groundwater protection (multiple jurisdictions share the Saginaw aquifer) and highlighted practical tools the city can use to integrate wellhead protection into zoning and development review.
