Water Filtration

Water System

The City of Muskegon Water Filtration Plant treats water from Lake Michigan to produce abundant, clean, and safe drinking water. The plant operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with staff onsite to routinely sample and analyze the water as it is being treated.

The over 4 billion gallons of drinking water produced at the plant every year serves a population of about 90,000 in the City of Muskegon and several neighboring communities, including: Dalton Township, Fruitland Township, Fruitport Township, Laketon Township, Muskegon Township, the City of North Muskegon, the City of Norton Shores, and the City of Roosevelt Park. Within these communities, the water produced, at a capacity of 40 million gallons every day, is used at residential, commercial, and industrial locations, in addition to supplying water to fire hydrants.

How Water Works

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The City of Muskegon’s Water Filtration Plant is a drinking water treatment facility located on the Lake Michigan shoreline near Pere Marquette Park. The Water Filtration Plant provides drinking water to a population of nearly 90,000 in the City of Muskegon and several neighboring communities, including: Dalton Township, Fruitland Township, Fruitport Township, Laketon Township, Muskegon Township, the City of North Muskegon, the City of Norton Shores, and the City of Roosevelt Park.

The Water Filtration Plant produces over four billion gallons of drinking water annually. The term “drinking water” is widely used to describe water that is safe for consumption, but it has a variety of uses beyond drinking. Residential uses include drinking, cooking, washing, laundering, and irrigation. Similar uses are seen in commercial buildings such as stores, offices, hotels, restaurants, schools, and more. The Water Filtration Plant also plays a crucial role in fire protection by providing water to fire hydrants.

A team of eleven state-certified Waterworks System Operators manage the drinking water treatment and distribution processes 24 hours a day. Operators continuously monitor water quality at each stage of the treatment process and make adjustments to ensure proper treatment. Our team of operators is also responsible for the maintenance of the Water Filtration Plant equipment and facilities. Our communities have access to a supply of safe, clean, abundant, and aesthetically pleasing drinking water due to the work our staff performs every day.

Water Quality Report

The annual Water Quality Report, which describes the source and quality of the drinking water provided in the City of Muskegon, is linked below.

View the Water Quality Report

Legacy

The City of Muskegon’s water system dates back to 1874 with the construction of a pump station and reservoir at Eighth St. and Houston St. While the plant is well maintained and modern, some of the infrastructure constructed in the 1920s is still used in the treatment process today, nearly 100 years later.

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The City of Muskegon’s water system dates back to 1874 with the construction of a pump station and reservoir at Eighth St. and Houston St. Fire protection was the impetus for the city’s first water system. Eventually the reservoir at this location was unable to provide the volume of water required by the city, and a new pump station was constructed in 1891 on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Two major changes were implemented in the 1920s: the steam-driven pumps were upgraded to electricity and chlorination was started in response to the typhoid fever epidemic. During the 1930s, sedimentation basins, six filters, and a 2.8-million-gallon drinking water reservoir were constructed, permitting complete water treatment to begin. Major upgrades occurred throughout the 1960s, 1970s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. These upgrades increased capacity, upgraded the treatment process, and improved reliability. While the plant is well maintained and modern, some of the infrastructure constructed in the 1920s is still used in the treatment process today, nearly 100 years later.

Water Sources

Our water source is Lake Michigan. The Great Lakes provide some of the best quality water when compared to other surface water sources, such as rivers and inland lakes.

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Our water source is Lake Michigan. The Great Lakes provide some of the best quality water when compared to other surface water sources, such as rivers and inland lakes. However, because Lake Michigan is surface water, it still will contain sediment, disease-causing organisms, and also at times, compounds that cause tastes and odors. To make the water potable, sediment must be removed from the water and harmful microorganisms must be destroyed. Treatment of the water will provide multiple barriers against disease-causing organisms and produce safe, aesthetically pleasing drinking water.

Water from Lake Michigan enters the Water Filtration Plant through a five-foot diameter intake pipeline that travels over one mile into Lake Michigan, terminating at a depth of over 30 feet. The length and depth of our intake permits it to supply more consistent and higher quality water than is available directly on the shore. However, the biological, chemical, and physical properties of the water will still be impacted by storms, wind, currents, temperature, rainfall, river flow, runoff, ice formation, and water levels. This is not a problem, as the drinking water treatment process is designed to handle water of varying quality.

Protecting our drinking water source is critical. Treatment can become more difficult and expensive due to emerging concerns that impact water quality. Examples include the introduction and flourishing of invasive mussels, the increasing frequency of algal blooms, and the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The Lake Michigan watershed encompasses 45,600 square miles of land where all streams and rainfall drain into Lake Michigan. All activity within this area has the potential to affect our drinking water, and any substances dumped on the ground have the potential to enter ground water or surface water that eventually flows to Lake Michigan. The City of Muskegon has a Source Water Intake Protection Plan (SWIPP), a voluntary endeavor undertaken to ensure the long-term viability of our drinking water source. This plan was implemented in 2017 and updated in 2023.

Water Treatment

The Water Filtration Plant has a treatment capacity of 40 million gallons per day (mgd). This equates to 27,778 gallons per minute, or enough water to fill eight average-sized bathtubs every second.

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The Water Filtration Plant has a treatment capacity of 40 million gallons per day (mgd). This equates to 27,778 gallons per minute, or enough water to fill eight average-sized bathtubs every second. The Water Filtration Plant treats enough water to meet the demands of our customers, which fluctuates on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. Treatment rates vary seasonally and range from 6 mgd to 23 mgd.

The Water Filtration Plant uses conventional water treatment, a method widely used around the world for producing drinking water. This five-step process includes disinfection, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration.

Water treatment at the Water Filtration Plant begins with disinfection using a process called chlorination. Chlorination involves adding chlorine to the drinking water to kill disease-causing organisms such as parasites, bacteria, and viruses. This process has been identified as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century for its ability to control infectious diseases. Staff at the Water Filtration Plant manage the chlorination process to maintain a detectable level of chlorine throughout the water system. The presence of a detectable level of chlorine in drinking water indicates that a sufficient amount of chlorine was added initially to the water to inactivate the organisms that cause disease. It also is critical in protecting the water from recontamination during its movement through the water distribution system.

The next three steps of conventional water treatment—coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation—remove solids from the water before it is filtered, allowing more effective and efficient operation of the filters. These stages of treatment occur mostly within two, 1.2 million-gallon basins. Overall, these treatment processes can remove up to 90% of the solids from the lake water. First, a coagulant is added through a mixer that rapidly disperses it throughout the water causing the small, microscopic solid particles to begin combining into larger, heavier particles called floc. The water then flows through a series of four flocculation basins where it is gently stirred by large paddles to facilitate continued particle growth. Each successive stage of stirring is slower to allow the floc to grow without breaking apart. The water then flows into a sedimentation basin where the floc falls to the bottom, a process known as sedimentation or settling. Our settling basins use inclined plate settlers that are made of 3,456 metal plates that are spaced a few inches apart and inclined at 55 degrees. The plate settlers allow for more efficient and quicker settling of the solid particles, in part due to their total surface area of 216,000 ft2. Once the solid particles have settled at the bottom of the basin, the cleaner water from the top of the basins goes to the filters.

The final stage of conventional water treatment is filtration. Filtration removes some of the solids that were not settled out earlier in the treatment process. The Water Filtration Plant has ten filters that are approximately 920 ft2 each. Each filter consists of 12 inches of sand topped with 18 inches of anthracite coal. The high surface area of the anthracite coal and sand make them excellent at adsorption. Some of the remaining solids are removed from the water as it travels through the filter and the solid particles stick to the anthracite coal and sand. Once through the filters, the water has completed the treatment process and is considered drinking water. The water flows from the filters into a 5.6-million-gallon reservoir and is ready to be pumped into the communities where it will be consumed.

At the Water Filtration Plant, water flows continuously from Lake Michigan through the treatment process and into the distribution system. This means that when the Water Filtration Plant treats water at a high rate, water flows through the treatment process faster. Depending on the treatment rate, water will spend approximately 8-30 hours to flow from the lake to the point where it is being pumped into the distribution system. Whether treating at maximum capacity or well below, the Water Filtration Plant is designed to produce water that meets all drinking water regulations under any treatment flow rate.

The Water Filtration Plant has 10 pumps with motors of 300-600 horsepower used to distribute water into the community and provide water pressure. In the summer, when water demand peaks, these pumps will be operating at over 20,000 gallons per minute to meet the demands of our consumers. In addition, the City of Muskegon and its customer communities have water distribution infrastructure located throughout the water systems, ensuring abundant water with adequate pressure. Altogether, these water systems include eight water towers totaling 6 million gallons of storage, two water reservoirs totaling 6 million gallons of storage, and five pump stations providing an additional 13 pumps.

Water towers provide both water storage and water pressure. Every 1 foot of water height provides 0.43 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure. The water towers in the City of Muskegon are over 125 feet high, meaning they alone can provide around 54 psi of pressure without any pumps.

Additional Treatments

Muskegon played an important role in the early studies of fluoridation of municipal drinking water.

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https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/basics/timeline.html

Fluoride has been shown to be important in keeping teeth strong and reducing cavities and has been identified as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century. The City of Muskegon fluoridates its water supply by adding a small amount of fluoride to the water to supplement the fluoride that occurs naturally in Lake Michigan water. The final level of fluoride in the water is around 0.7 part per million (ppm), which is the recommended level by the U.S. Public Health Service. Muskegon played an important role in the early studies of fluoridation of municipal drinking water. Grand Rapids began fluoridating its drinking water in 1945, while Muskegon did not, functioning as the experimental control. With the studies showing the effectiveness of supplementing fluoride levels in municipal drinking water, Muskegon began fluoridating its drinking water in 1951.

The temperature of Lake Michigan water changes seasonally. At the Water Filtration Plant, lake water temperatures have ranged from 35-76 °F over the last five years. These temperature changes can be noticeable in the water delivered to consumers, but more critically, temperature changes usually indicate changes in the biology and chemistry of the water. These changes can alter the attributes of the water that flows through the treatment process and the distribution system. One noticeable change can be in the taste and smell of the water during periods of warm water in Lake Michigan. Powdered activated carbon (PAC) is added to the water to remove taste and odor causing compounds. Rapid changes in Lake Michigan water quality can allow the smell of chlorine to become more prevalent, or it might permit an earthy smell to develop. When this occurs, the drinking water at your tap remains safe to drink and touch.

Filter Backwashing

The portion of the filter that separates the unwanted solid particles from the water is referred to as filter media. The filter media at the Water Filtration Plant are anthracite coal and sand, with each one being composed of many individual grains. As water flows through a filter, voids between these grains of media will fill with the filtered solid particles, and as these voids fill, filters experience a reduction in flow and operate less efficiently. The grains of media also become coated with filtered solids. The higher the amount of filtered solids that exists in the voids and coated on the media, the more likely it becomes that the solids will pass through the filter and enter the drinking water. Allowing filtered material to pass through the filter must be avoided at all costs.

Backwashing is a process of cleaning filter media to remove the filtered material from the void spaces and surface of the media and return the filter to its original condition. The process is referred to as backwashing because it uses low pressure air and drinking water that is pushed up from the bottom of the filter, a reversal of how a filter normally operates. A filter can operate for 4-12 days before it requires backwashing. Annually, the Water Filtration Plant uses nearly 38 million gallons of water to backwash filters, using roughly 100,000 gallons of drinking water to clean a single filter. While this might seem like a lot of water, it only accounts for about 1% of treated water.

Historically, the nearly 100,000 gallons of filter backwash water, with the high number of solid particles it contained, was drained directly back into Lake Michigan each time a filter was backwashed. In 2004, the Water Filtration Plant received significant upgrades, including the construction of a sophisticated water recycling system. This system separates the solids from the water, and then reintroduces the water at the beginning of the treatment process. Today, water is no longer drained back into Lake Michigan.

Sludge

Sludge is a waste product of the water treatment process. The sludge produced at the Water Filtration Plant is created from the solids removed from the water and the water treatment chemicals. Initially, sludge is more than 98% water. The Water Filtration Plant has two clarifying basins used to thicken the sludge by separating the solids from the water. Once the sludge is thickened, it is pumped outside to drying beds. In the drying beds, even more water is removed from the sludge through a combination of evaporation and mechanical dewatering. There are two primary sources of mechanical dewatering. The first comes from a front end loader moving the sludge and spreading it into thin layers. The second is the freeze-thaw cycle. Once most of the water has been removed, the sludge resembles dirt and is disposed of in a landfill. On average, the Water Filtration Plant produces 800 tons of sludge annually.

Microbiology Laboratory

The Water Filtration Plant laboratory is state-certified, allowing us to perform certain sample analysis that are required by drinking water regulations.

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The Water Filtration Plant laboratory is state-certified, allowing us to perform certain sample analysis that are required by drinking water regulations. The recertification process occurs every three years. Being certified requires us to pass annual proficiency tests, where we analyze and submit results for tests samples that are unknown to us. Being certified requires us to have a documented and active Quality Assurance (QA) plan and regularly perform Quality Control (QC) checks to ensure the accuracy of our data. These steps assure the orderly application of practices to remove or reduce errors in the laboratory caused by personnel, equipment, supplies, and methodology.

Water Quality Monitoring at the Plant

Our operators are constantly monitoring the water quality by performing a variety of water quality tests on samples from nine different points throughout the water treatment process.

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In total, our operators perform over 100,000 tests annually.

Two of the most closely-monitored water quality parameters are chlorine and turbidity levels. Chlorine levels provide insight into the effectiveness of our disinfection process and are an important indicator on the potability of water. In addition to measurements made by the water plant operators, an instrument monitors chlorine levels at the water plant continuously. Turbidity is cloudiness in the water that results from individual solid particles in the water, and it is a key test in water quality as it indicates the effectiveness of the solids removal process. Water Plant Operators measure turbidity multiple times daily. In addition to the measurements made by the water plant operators, 15 turbidity meters are constantly measuring and recording the turbidity of the drinking water. All drinking water has its turbidity measured twice before it flows into the drinking water reservoir—once immediately after filtration and once right before entering the reservoir.

In addition to chlorine and turbidity, Water Filtration Plant staff also regularly monitor water temperature, pH, alkalinity, hardness, fluoride, color, organic matter (UV 254), taste and odor, Total coliforms, E. coli, and heterotrophic bacteria (HPC). Small changes in any parameter can have a profound impact on water treatment!

Water Quality Monitoring in the Distribution System

The infrastructure throughout our service area used to deliver water to consumers is referred to as the distribution system.

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The infrastructure consists of watermains, pump stations, water towers, reservoirs, and more. Regular sampling throughout the communities we serve is one way of ensuring the water remains safe once it leaves the Water Filtration Plant. Any abnormalities will be used to spur further investigation. Monitoring the water in the distribution systems includes measuring chlorine levels and performing bacteriological (Total coliform, E. coli) testing at sample sites located throughout the distribution system. We perform over 70 tests weekly on water collected from 30 locations in the distribution systems of the cities and townships where we provide water. Water Plant Operators also monitor the distribution system using a high-speed radio network to monitor data from instruments and sensors showing water levels, flows, and pressures. This radio network also permits the controlling of pump stations, elevated water towers, and reservoirs.

Additional Water Monitoring

Check out the city’s annual water quality report based on frequent sampling.

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The City of Muskegon has participated in sampling under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR), which provides data to the EPA to evaluate implementing new water regulations and maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). We have also participated in the State of Michigan’s voluntary sampling for algal toxins, which have provided a better understanding of how algae is impacting our source water and
our drinking water.

Our annual water quality report (also referred to as a Consumer Confidence Report), is published annually before July 1. It will report what substances have been detected in the drinking water, but it does not list all of the parameters for which we test. Below is a sample of the many compounds for which the drinking water is regularly tested.

ParameterCategory
ChlorineProcess control, microbiological
TurbidityProcess control
pHProcess control
TemperatureProcess control
ColorProcess control
UV254 (organic matter)Process control
FluorideProcess control, chemical
Alkalinity (as CaCO3)Process control
Hardness (as CaCO3)Process control
Calcium hardnessProcess control
Magnesium hardnessProcess control
ChlorideProcess control
E. coliMicrobiological
Total ColiformMicrobiological
Heterotrophic plate countMicrobiological
OdorProcess control
Total Organic CarbonDisinfection by products (DBP), total organic carbon
Specific ultaviolet absorbance (SUVA)Disinfection by products (DBP), total organic carbon
Dissolved organic carbonDisinfection by products (DBP), total organic carbon
Bromoacetic AcidDisinfection by products (DBP), haloacetic acids
Chloroacetic AcidDisinfection by products (DBP), haloacetic acids
Dibromoacetic AcidDisinfection by products (DBP), haloacetic acids
Dichloroacetic AcidDisinfection by products (DBP), haloacetic acids
Trichloroacetic AcidDisinfection by products (DBP), haloacetic acids
ChloroformDisinfection by products (DBP), trihalomethanes
BromodichloromethaneDisinfection by products (DBP), trihalomethanes
DibromochloromethaneDisinfection by products (DBP), trihalomethanes
BromoformDisinfection by products (DBP), trihalomethanes
IronChemical
SodiumChemical
NitrateChemical
NitriteChemical
SulfateChemical
ChloromethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
Vinyl chlorideVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
BromomethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
ChloroethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
TrichlorofluoromethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,1-DichloroetheneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
Methyl-tert-butyl etherVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
Methylene chlorideVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
trans-1,2-DichloroetheneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,1-DichloroethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
2-ButanoneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
cis-1,2-DichloroetheneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
2,2-DichloropropaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
BromochloromethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
TetrahydrofuranVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
ChloroformVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,1,1-TrichloroethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,1-DichloropropeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
Carbon tetrachlorideVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
BenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,2-DichloroethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
TrichloroetheneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,2-DichloropropaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
DibromomethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
BromodichloromethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
cis-1,3-DichloropropeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
TolueneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
trans-1,3-DichloropropeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,1,2-TrichloroethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,3-DichloropropaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
TetrachloroetheneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
DibromochloromethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB)Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
ChlorobenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,1,1,2-TetrachloroethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
EthylbenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
m,p-XyleneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
o-XyleneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
Xylenes, totalVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
StyreneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
BromoformVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
IsopropylbenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,1,2,2-TetrachloroethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,2,3-TrichloropropaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
BromobenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
n-PropylbenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
2-ChlorotolueneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,3,5-TrimethylbenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
4-ChlorotolueneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
t-Butyl BenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,2,4-TrimethylbenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
sec-ButylbenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
p-IsopropyltolueneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,3-DichlorobenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,4-DichlorobenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,2,3-TrimethylbenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,2-DichlorobenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
NaphthaleneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
HexachloroethaneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,2,4-TrichlorobenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
HexachlorobutadieneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
1,2,3-TrichlorobenzeneVolatile organic compounds (VOC)
PFASPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFBSPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFHxAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
HFPO-DAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFHxSPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFHpAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
ADONAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFOAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFOSPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFNAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
9Cl-PF3ONSPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFDAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
NMeFOSAAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
NEtFOSAAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFUnAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
11Cl-PF3OUdSPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFDoAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFTrDAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PFTAPer-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Gross AlphaRadiological
Radium 226 & 228Radiological
LeadLead & Copper, Metals
CopperLead & Copper
CyanideChemical
AntimonyMetals
ArsenicMetals
BariumMetals
BerylliumMetals
CadmiumMetals
ChromiumMetals
NickelMetals
SeleniumMetals
ThalliumMetals
MercuryMetals
AtrazinePesticides
Benzo(a)pyrenePesticides
Chlordane-TechnicalPesticides
di(2-ethylhexyl)adipatePesticides
di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalatePesticides
EndrinPesticides
HeptachlorPesticides
Heptachlor epoxidePesticides
HexachlorobenzenePesticides
HexachlorocyclopentadienePesticides
Lindane (gamma-BHC)Pesticides
MethoxychlorPesticides
PCB (aroclors)Pesticides
SimazinePesticides
ToxaphenePesticides
AldicarbCarbamates
Aldicarb sulfoneCarbamates
Aldicarb sulfoxideCarbamates
CarbarylCarbamates
CarbofuranCarbamates
MethiocarbCarbamates
MethomylCarbamates
OxamylCarbamates
PropoxurCarbamates
2,4-DHerbicides
AcifluorfenHerbicides
BentazonHerbicides
DicambaHerbicides
DinosebHerbicides
PentachlorophenolHerbicides
PicloramHerbicides
Total DCPA degradates, mono- and di-acidHerbicides
2,4,5-THerbicides
2,4,5,-TP (silvex)Herbicides
MC-HTYRAlgal toxins
MC-LAAlgal toxins
MC-LFAlgal toxins
MC-LRAlgal toxins
MC-LR Asp3Algal toxins
MC-LR SurrogateAlgal toxins
MC-LWAlgal toxins
MC-LYAlgal toxins
MC-RRAlgal toxins
MC-WRAlgal toxins
MC-YRAlgal toxins
NodularinAlgal toxins
Anatoxin-AAlgal toxins
CylindrospermopsinAlgal toxins
CryptosporidiumMicrobiological
GiardiaMicrobiological

Electrical Power & Generators

Learn about the city’s systems to protect the constant supply of water.

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One of the largest expenses encountered in water treatment is electricity, the majority of which is used by the large pumps used to pump water into the communities we serve. The electrical rate paid by the Water Filtration Plant varies based on the time of day. Staff at the Water Filtration Plant fill all water storage tanks and reservoirs when electrical rates are cheapest, allowing us to minimize pumping during the hours with the highest electrical rates. The Water Filtration Plant uses nearly 5 million kWh per year, while an average home is estimated to only use 11,000 kwH per year. Because the Water Filtration Plant needs to run continuously, two large generators are able to power the plant during power outages to ensure an uninterrupted supply of water.

Capital Improvement Projects

Our facilities require continual investment to maintain the level of service demanded by regulations and our customers. Here are some of the improvements we’ve made over the last decade.

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2014-2015 

  • Replacement of ball valves on High Service Pumps #1 and #3 $121,775 
  • Interior coating and repairs on the Nims Water Tower $207,700 

2015-2016 

  • New coagulant mixer $24,160 
  • Replacement electrical controls for Recycle Pump #1 $14,408 

2016-2017 

  • Intake inspection $62,161 
  • Replacement of Sludge Pump #1 $25,868 
  • Rebuild of Low Service Pump #7 $12,835 
  • Replacement of ball valve on High Service Pump #4 $71,550 

2017-2018 

  • Emergency generator at Marshall water tower $6,841 
  • New electrical feeder to high service switchgear $27,188 
  • Administration Building roof $81,972 
  • Replacement turbidity meters $58,039 
  • New control system electronics (SCADA hardware) $482,204 

2018-2019 

  • Chemical pump electrical upgrades $7,200 
  • New coagulant mixer $22,865 
  • Membrane to cover plant reservoir $575,032 
  • South Filter Building roof $212,885 
  • Plant control instrumentation (bubblers) $53,085 
  • Water tower security (fencing) $43,050 

2019-2020 

  • Water Plant security upgrades (fencing) $89,898 
  • Radio network upgrades (high speed radios) $34,987 
  • Replacement of sanitary sump pump $13,190 
  • Generator reliability upgrades $131,493 
  • New transformer at Harvey Pump Station $21,710 
  • Communication pole at Harvey Pump Station $11,450 

2020-2021 

  • Rebuild Harvey Pump #2 $26,387 
  • New coagulant mixer $23,793 
  • Communication tower $214,231 
  • Rebuild High Service Pump #7 $9,077 
  • Rebuild High service #4 motor $10,002 
  • Rebuild dehumidifier units $23,672 

2021-2022 

  • Marshall Tank exterior coating $315,449 
  • Replacement of chorine system plumbing $133,199 
  • Replacement of chlorine pumps $34,564 
  • Replacement of check valve on Low Service Pump #5 $16,289 
  • Intake inspection $53,062 

2022-2023 

  • High and Low Service Pump Station roofing $134,856 
  • Water Plant security (east side fencing) $57,765 
  • Roberts Tank exterior coating $316,799 
  • Water Filtration Plant structural improvements $1,572,804 
  • Harvey Pump Station structural improvements $807,203 
  • Replacement of ball valve for High Service Pump #2 $47,266 

2023-2024 

  • Electrical upgrade at the Harvey Pump Station $326,266 
  • Install water meter on 30” transmission main $150,000 
  • Replacement unit heaters $55,000 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • In 2018, MDEQ contracted AECOM to do sampling and testing for PFAS throughout the state. The concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in our water were 2 ppt, and that is well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) lifetime health advisory (LHA) of 70 ppt. For more information, please see https://muskegon-mi.gov/city-of-muskegon-wssn-04570-pfas-result/

  • The City of Muskegon has conducted all required monitoring and sampling since the Lead and Copper Rule was promulgated. Sampling results over the years have met the standard and never exceeded levels requiring any action. As the recent water quality report indicates, our 90th percentile lead levels are at 3 ppb (parts per billion), well below the action level of 15 ppb.

    For information about lead in drinking water or how the situation in Flint is related to what we do here in Muskegon, contact Joe Buthker , Muskegon Water Filtration Plant Superintendent at (231) 724-4106 or [email protected].

  • Chlorine is added in small amounts to drinking water. It is the disinfectant applied to destroy pathogenic (harmful) bacteria and microbes. This keeps the water safe to drink.

  • The milky-white appearance is from tiny air bubbles in the water similar to gas bubbles in beer or soda pop. After a little while, the bubbles rise to the top and are gone. This occurs most often in the winter when drinking water is cold.

  • The Water Filtration Plant uses Lake Michigan as a source of supply.

  • For water quality questions or complaints, please contact (231) 724-4106. It is likely a representative will be sent to your home to help you or to explain what is causing the problem. Often, a chlorine residual test is performed or a bacteriological sample is collected for analysis.

  • For water pressure issues or other service problems, please contact (231) 724-4100. It is likely a representative will be sent to your home to help you or to explain what is causing the problem. If required, a cross connection inspection will be performed, depending on the nature of the problem.

  • Give the plant a call at (231) 724-4106, and we’ll be happy to get a tour set up.

  • No, our drinking water does not contain any of these.

  • For any questions about your City of Muskegon water bill, please contact Water/Sewer Billing at 231-724-6718.

  • To view or pay City of Muskegon water bills online, please click here.

  • Chlorine is added to the drinking water to destroy disease-causing organisms and is a critical part of making drinking water safe for consumption. The Water Filtration Plant is required to add sufficient chlorine to the water so that a small amount remains in the water once it leaves the Water Filtration Plant. Odors caused by chlorine are often described as smelling like bleach or a swimming pool. These odors can fluctuate in intensity as the chemistry and biology of the water from Lake Michigan goes through seasonal changes. Our staff monitors the chlorine levels at the Water Filtration Plant continuously and around the city weekly to ensure chlorine levels remain within the proper range.

  • Earthy, musty, fishy, or moldy odors are typically caused by algae blooms in Lake Michigan. Summer and fall are the most likely times for the lake to experience algae blooms, and this is when these odors will be most noticeable. As Lake Michigan goes through seasonal changes, the chemistry and biology of the water can change in ways that cause these odors to develop, but it does not indicate that the water is unsafe for consumption.

  • Many water mains are iron pipe, and it is typical for iron sediment to accumulate and settle in the bottom of these water mains. Large changes in water flow can cause this iron sediment to resuspend in the water and become noticeable at your tap. Large changes in flow can be caused by water main breaks and repairs, nearby construction activity, seasonal water flushing, firefighting, and anything else that disrupts the normal flow through the water main. Although iron discoloring the water appears unappetizing and may impart a metallic or bitter taste, it is not a health threat.

    Generally, if you wait for a short period of time (an hour) and flush your faucet for 10 minutes, the discoloration will disappear. If you are noticing this discoloration only in your hot water, it could be sediment from your water heater, and you can contact a licensed plumber to help evaluate your water heater.

  • If low water pressure is only affecting a part of your home or a single faucet, it is likely a blockage in your pipes or fixtures. You can try cleaning your aerator, and if that does not help, contact a licensed plumber. If you are experiencing low pressure throughout your entire residence, please contact the Department of Public Works at 231-724-4100.

  • The City of Muskegon has regularly collected drinking water samples from customers’ taps to test for lead since 1992. No lead has ever been detected in the drinking water as it leaves the Water Filtration Plant, yet not all of the samples collected at consumers’ taps are lead-free. So how does lead enter the drinking water? A common source of lead in drinking water is internal plumbing with lead-containing fixtures, faucets, and solders. Another potential source of lead in drinking water is lead service lines. A service line is the pipe that connects the water main to a building’s internal plumbing. In Muskegon, most service lines are made of a galvanized pipe connected to a water main using a very short section of lead pipe referred to as a lead gooseneck. In order to ensure testing captures lead from either source, the State of Michigan began requiring two one-liter samples be collected for lead testing. The 1st liter is collected immediately as the faucet is opened, and this sample likely represents water in the building’s internal plumbing. The next sample collected is the 5th liter of water, and this water better represents water in contact with the service line.

    The drinking water we regularly test as part of our lead sampling program is limited to locations on our state-approved sampling plan; we are unable to test your drinking water for lead upon request. If you are interested in having your drinking water tested for lead, a drinking water laboratory will be able to provide this service for a fee. If you need help locating a drinking water laboratory, please contact the Water Filtration Plant at 231-724-4106.

  • The City of Muskegon has never exceeded the action level for lead in drinking water. The 90th percentile value is used to determine compliance with drinking water regulations and must not exceed the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead. The City of Muskegon’s 90th percentile value for lead is 5 ppb, or put another way, 90% of the locations tested for lead were at or below 5 ppb. All samples tested for lead were collected from locations with a lead gooseneck, and it is important to note that a service line with a lead gooseneck does not guarantee lead will be present in the drinking water. Of all the 5th liter samples collected that likely represent water in contact with the service line and lead gooseneck, 73% had no level of lead detected and 97% were below the lead action level.

    Most importantly, the City of Muskegon is working to replace all lead service lines, thereby removing all lead goosenecks from the water system. This is a labor-intensive, expensive, and time-consuming task, but when complete, the City will have no more lead service lines. Removal of all lead service lines from the water system is a critical part of achieving a lead-free water system.

  • The Michigan Lead Safe website contains information about lead.

    Results from the City of Muskegon’s lead sampling are reported in our annual water quality report. This report contains additional information about lead in drinking water and reports on the progress of lead service line replacement in the City of Muskegon.

    The City of Muskegon Water System Advisory Council meets annually to provide updates on lead in drinking water. Meetings are open to the public, and meeting dates will be publicly posted.

  • If your question is not answered above, or if you have further concerns you would like to discuss, please contact the staff at the Water Filtration Plant at 231-724-4106. If you call with a water quality concern, we will likely ask you some of the following questions to help troubleshoot your problem:

    • How long have you noticed the problem? Does the problem occur all the time or periodically?
    • Does the problem occur at all inside taps or just some?
    • Does the problem occur only when you first turn on the water or does it occur continuously?
    • Does the issue occur with cold water, hot water, or both?
    • Have you had any recent work done on your water plumbing or faucets?
    • Have you noticed any work crews or fire engines in the area?

    If we cannot address your concern over the phone, it is likely we will send a team of operators to investigate. The team will perform a cross connection inspection, measure the chlorine level in the water, and collect a sample for bacteriological analysis (Total Coliform and E. coli).

    If you desire testing beyond the chlorine and bacteriological analysis performed by the City of Muskegon Water Filtration Plant, a drinking water laboratory will be able to provide this service for a fee. If you need help locating a drinking water laboratory, please contact the Water Filtration Plant at 231-724-4106.

Contact the Water Filtration Department

  • Joe Buthker

    Joe Buthker

    Water Plant Superintendent