Andrews Receives $3,500 Grant from MDEQ

To update Wellhead Protection Plan

The Andrews University water tower is 126 feet tall and has a capacity of 250,000 gallons. (Photo by Christa McConnell, IMC student photographer)

Andrews University was recently awarded a $3,500 grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The grant will be used to update the University’s Wellhead Protection Plan (WHPP) for the groundwater areas that supply drinking water to the University.

Andrews, in cooperation with the MDEQ, has been involved in the Michigan WHPP for years. The primary purpose of participating in the plan is to protect groundwater and provide a clean uncontaminated water supply. By engaging in this voluntary program, Andrews is eligible for special grants from the state government for implementing different aspects of the program.

The task of maintaining a clean water supply is made easier because of the good relationship Andrews has with the City of Berrien Springs. Paul Elder, director for Facilities Management, says, “We have a benefit being close to the city, because we have two connections with the city to help us when we are down or vice versa. Last summer we renovated the water tower and had to drain our tower for a month. During this time we were able to open our connections to the city and make arrangements with their utilities maintenance department to allow Andrews University to use their water tower during our shutdown.”

The University has contracted with Fleis & VandenBrink, an environmental engineering firm, to provide professional guidance during the update. The firm will help to determine the best actions for preserving the groundwater supply, and assist with development of an updated Wellhead Protection Plan for Andrews University. This process should not cause any interruptions beyond what is caused by normal maintenance shutdowns on the system.

by Marcus Larivaux, student writer for Integrated Marketing & Communication