The Michigan Center for Freshwater Innovation (MCFI) was created through a partnership between the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University to address diverse freshwater challenges in Southeast Michigan and across the state.

Recent initiatives include developing nature-based solutions, promoting regional water planning, and improving stormwater infrastructure in Southeast Michigan, aiming to position the state as a leader in freshwater innovation and economic growth.

SBND spoke with Curt Wolf, managing director at the University of Michigan Urban Collaboratory and managing director of MCFI about its projects, challenges, and vision.

Q: What inspired the creation of the Michigan Center for Freshwater Innovation, and how did it come about?

A: The Michigan Center for Freshwater Innovation was conceived through a collaborative effort led by the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University. This initiative aims to tackle Michigan’s freshwater challenges, which vary widely across the state—from excessive water and flooding in some areas to contamination threats and inadequate supplies in others.

The MCFI was established to address these complex and diverse issues through a coordinated approach involving multiple stakeholders, including water utilities, community groups, NGOs, practitioners, and state agencies. It is also a way for these institutions to work together to give something back to the great State of Michigan.

Q: Is this collaborative approach among institutions unique?

A: It is somewhat unique. While there have been various attempts to address water issues in Michigan, the MCFI represents a significant step forward by bringing together an inclusive group of leading academic institutions and regional water stakeholders who can collectively implement real change and bring new and innovative solutions forward.

The MCFI’s focus is the entire state of Michigan which has very rural areas but also a number of large cities. The three universities complement each other well as a team. UM is an internationally recognized research institution with often a global focus, MSU is a land grant university with incredible reach throughout the state through its extension network. Wayne State has more of an urban focus with important community ties. All three universities have amazing water research capabilities. The MCFI is much greater than just an academic collaboration, however. Creating an open table where all stakeholders have a voice is critical to solving the types of water problems we’re facing as a region.

Q: What are some current projects the MCFI is working on?

A: The MCFI is actively involved in several projects. One major focus is climate adaptation and regional resiliency, particularly addressing the impacts of catastrophic flooding, such as the 2021 events that affected thousands of homes in SE Michigan. The center is working on near-term solutions and leveraging regional cooperation to look at how we might enhance infrastructure, think outside the box, and address water stressors.

One such project, funded by the Erb Family Foundation, is a groundbreaking project that aims to revolutionize stormwater management in Southeast Michigan. The team will identify barriers to regional stormwater cooperation and develop innovative solutions to better manage the impacts of extreme rain events and climate variability.

By focusing on the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) wastewater service area in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, the project seeks to optimize existing water infrastructure assets through regional coordination. This approach could potentially save hundreds of millions of dollars in capital investment and operational costs while improving flood control and water quality in major watersheds.

The project involves extensive collaboration with local authorities, community engagement, and the exploration of successful regional stormwater cooperation models from other areas. The findings could pave the way for more efficient and cost-effective stormwater management strategies, benefiting both the environment and residents of SE Michigan.

Another project, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), seeks to integrate large-scale Nature-Based (green) Solutions (NBS) with existing infrastructure (gray) to mitigate flooding and enhance ecological resilience. This project will develop a comprehensive strategy for the adaption of NBS on a regional scale leveraging land assets for water storage, restoring habitats, and promoting climate justice.

By engaging local stakeholders and employing advanced modeling techniques, the project aims to develop a scalable and transferable framework for sustainable stormwater management. This effort is expected to improve community resilience, protect critical infrastructure, and provide significant benefits to fish and wildlife habitats, while also fostering socio-economic growth through enhanced property values and reduced flood insurance costs.

Additionally, MCFI completed a project for the State of Michigan providing recommendations for promoting regional planning of water infrastructure throughout the state. The study, commissioned by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), identified opportunities for shared services, incentives for cooperation, and barriers that prevent public water supplies from serving areas outside their current boundaries.

The research team conducted interviews, roundtable discussions, and technical analyses to gather insights from water system managers, local officials, and other stakeholders across the state. Findings and recommendations provided informed EGLE’s efforts to ensure equitable water infrastructure investments that provide high-quality drinking water at the lowest cost, in line with Governor Whitmer’s 2021 executive directive on safe drinking water.

Q: What are the main water stressors facing the region?

A: The region faces multiple water stressors, including aging infrastructure, climate change impacts, legacy industrial contamination, emerging contaminants (PFAS, microplastics, etc.), and regional growth impacts. Climate change is impacting Michigan in different ways than other parts of the country such as the Southwest.

We are experiencing increased precipitation with more intense and sometimes highly localized storms. We have more water to manage than ever before. The region’s water systems, some of which are nearly 150 years old, were developed incrementally over time, adding to the complexity of addressing modern challenges.

At the same time, there are portions of the state where groundwater resources are stressed, particularly in central areas of the state. Michiganders sometimes feel that we have unlimited water sources and that isn’t always the case.

Q: What are the barriers to improving water management, and how can they be overcome?

A: There are a number of them. These include technical, regulatory, legal, risk transfer, political, governmental, and financial barriers, among others. Michigan has one of the highest number of independent water systems in the country. This makes regional cooperation that much more critical.

One important concept to embrace is to think wholistically on a watershed basis recognizing that solutions to problems in the lower reaches of a watershed might just be in the upper reaches of the same watershed. This sounds simple but things can get complicated quickly when water crosses multiple political jurisdictions.

Acknowledging the reality that we probably can’t afford to build our way out of climate impacts, we need to optimize the gray and green infrastructure systems that we have in addition to embracing new technological advances and approaches.

Q: How does MCFI’s work drive business growth and job creation?

A: If we work together to solve water issues, business and job growth can be realized through increased property values, managed industrial growth, reduced insurance and borrowing rates, and recognizing the fact that Michigan is likely to be a climate refuge moving forward.

From a business perspective, Michigan has a number of strategic attributes including a border crossing, incredible industrial might, and a large portion of the earth’s fresh water supply. Southeast Michigan is only using roughly 30% of its freshwater treatment capacity. We have a lot of capacity to produce fresh water. This said, water usage and carbon impacts correlate directly so moving forward in a sustainable manner is critical. Improved water management can position Michigan as a leader in freshwater innovation, contributing to economic growth and stability.

Q: What is your vision for the future of water management in Southeast Michigan?

A: The future of water management in Southeast Michigan will involve a shift in how we approach and regulate water in response to climate change and environmental impacts. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders and embracing innovative solutions, the MCFI team aims to improve water management and address the impacts of climate change and other water stressors facing the region.

Fresh water is one of Michigan’s greatest assets. By better managing this asset, we can drive sustained growth, improve community health, lead the nation in water technology and innovation, and let people know that Michigan is the greatest place to live in the country!