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Phone: 616-364-8466
Fax: 616-364-6537

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

» Wellhead Protection Ordinance- Executive Summary (pdf)
» Wellhead Protection Ordinance (pdf)
» Wellhead Area Map (pdf)
» Wellhead Protection Overlay District - Chapter 36 of the Zoning Ordinance (pdf)

New Wellhead Protection Ordinance Effective April 1, 2010

Plainfield Charter Township has recently passed a Wellhead Protection Ordinance in order to safeguard our public water supply. The Township draws its 16-million-gallon-per-day water supply from 16 wells located in three separate well fields, and the protection of these sensitive areas is imperative. The groundwater in much of the area is less than 20 feet below ground and there is no protective clay layer above it. If a release of pollutants occurs on the ground it will travel very quickly toward the Township’s wells and the Grand River. The new ordinance provides the community with a plan, establishing roles and responsibilities, a contaminant source inventory of the "Wellhead Protection Zone", strategies to protect our groundwater supply, a contingency plan, and a plan to education the community about the importance to protect our groundwater.

This ordinance was designed and approved to protect the public water supply by identifying potential threats in areas where the groundwater is vulnerable to contamination. A "Wellhead Protection Zone" has been identified as the area whose groundwater has the greatest potential to be negatively impacted from activities conducted on the surface above it. Leaking septic tanks, improper use of pesticides/fertilizer, abandoned wells, underground/above ground storage tanks and uncontained spills of gasoline, oil or chemicals are examples of activities that could negatively impact our community’s water supply. A brief summary along with the entire ordinance and a map of the Wellhead Protection Zone can be viewed by clicking on the Wellhead Ordinance and Wellhead Protection Zone Map links at the top of this page.

Our plans for public education consist of working one-on-one with businesses located in the wellhead protection area, informing them of the ordinance and assist them in implementing a Performance Standard. These standards will assure the safety of the township’s drinking water from harmful contamination that could possibly result from their business practices. Businesses and residents in the wellhead protection area will be approached through a series of mailings this year outlining the ordinance and what they can do to aid in protecting our drinking water.

A significant portion of public education is conducting tours of our Water Plant. The Plant Superintendent along with our Operators escort many classes of students (ranging from grade school to high school) through our facility every year. The students are given a complete overview of how a water treatment plant and water distribution system operates emphasizing the uniqueness of where Plainfield Charter Township’s water supply is retrieved. The Township uses sixteen different wells located in three different well fields (the wellhead protection area) to pump water from an underground aquifer. The wellhead protection program is covered in detail concentrating on the importance of keeping these well fields free from contamination. The travel of pollution is emphasized using an operating water model allowing the students to visualize the potential of contamination to our drinking water supply. Quite simply, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and a live demonstration reinforces the message. The "Plainfield Protector" (pictured above) is our official mascot for the wellhead protection program. Our mascot heightens the program recognition for wellhead protection public education. The Plainfield Protector appears on the Water Department and the Wellhead Protection Program website along with other promotional material.

The Wellhead Protection Program is the result of the dedicated efforts of our community Wellhead Protection Committee. This committee consists of citizens, water plant treatment personnel, the engineering firm of Prein & Newhof, the Township Manager, and representatives of local business, public schools, health and fire departments. Join them and The Plainfield Protector in safeguarding our community water supply.