Tom Kunetz, a retired environmental engineer and chair of Allegan County’s water study work group, remembers when he first saw the call for volunteers in the local newspaper.
Having spent 30 years working for a public utility in Chicago, he knew the importance of safeguarding groundwater resources. Now, he leads an initiative that could shape Allegan County’s water future for decades.
Kunetz and work group members are working with Western Michigan University’s Michigan Geological Survey (MGS) to conduct a comprehensive study that will map groundwater sources, monitor usage, and guide future water management policies.
He knows the work is critical in ensuring the county's water supply remains sustainable. It will help the county understand the source of the groundwater and how much there is before problems arise. This study will provide data to make informed decisions.
“The Allegan County commissioners deserve credit for being proactive,” Kunetz says. "If we wait until a crisis happens, it will be much harder and more expensive to fix. Now is the time to take action. We’ve seen what happened in Ottawa County with saline intrusion. We don’t want to be in that situation.”
Mapping the resources
The county has received federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to support the initiative, which includes drilling monitoring wells, developing a countywide Groundwater Assessment Report, and implementing a real-time groundwater tracking system.
Sara Pearson, director of MGS, emphasizes that Allegan County’s geology plays a major role in where water can be found.
“The geology dictates where the groundwater is,” she says. “If you have clays, you don’t have a lot of water. If you have sand, you do. That’s where our aquifers come from, and we’ve comprehensively mapped Allegan County to help determine where its resources are and how to protect them.”
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Courtesy Sara PearsonAllegan County has received federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to support the initiative, which includes drilling monitoring wells, developing a countywide Groundwater Assessment Report, and implementing a real-time groundwater tracking system.
The Michigan Geological Survey, housed within WMU’s Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, has taken the lead in updating the state’s geological maps. Many of Michigan’s groundwater maps haven’t been revised in over a century, with some dating back to 1915. Pearson and her team use modern technology and field research to update these maps, providing a more accurate picture of Michigan’s underground water sources.
In 2024, MGS geologists, working with the county and townships, installed 15 groundwater monitoring wells across the county and are on track to install three more wells for a total of 18 monitoring points.. The goal is to gather geological samples, identify aquifer locations, and install long-term monitoring systems.
“By placing monitoring wells in aquifers at strategic locations, the county will be able to track water levels over time,” Pearson says. “Allegan County will use real-time telemetry systems to monitor trends and ensure they are managing water sustainably.”
The data collected from these monitoring wells will be uploaded to the U.S. Geological Survey’s national groundwater monitoring network, contributing to broader water resource studies nationally.
Allegan County has been praised at the state level for its proactive approach, which can serve as a model for other Michigan communities looking to safeguard their water supply and plan for sustainable growth.
"I think people take clean water for granted until it's gone," Kunetz says. "By studying our groundwater now, we can ensure future generations have access to safe, reliable water sources. Our water supply is finite. We have a responsibility to take care of it because we are all connected underground.”
Still have time to head off problems
Pearson brings over three decades of experience to her role. Before joining MGS, she was the source water unit supervisor at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), where she focused on contamination prevention, sustainable water resource management, and environmental policy development.
Pearson acknowledges contamination concerns, though she says Allegan County has not yet encountered widespread issues.
“So far, we haven’t identified contaminated wells, but some wells are in the pathway of contamination plumes,” she says. “That means there is time to address this, but addressing contaminated groundwater is EGLE’s responsibility, not the county’s.”
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Courtesy Sara PearsonThe Michigan Geological Survey, housed within WMU’s Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, has taken the lead in updating the state’s geological maps.
Kunetz hopes the groundwater assessment report will influence local policy, particularly regarding development.
"Growth is good, but it has to be responsible growth," he says. "If we overdraw our aquifers without replenishing them, we could face serious water shortages down the road.
“What we’re hoping is that local governments take this seriously for planning purposes,” he says. “Uncontrolled development can significantly impact the groundwater supply.”
Infrastructure projects are being prioritized based on water quality and quantity issues, potential contamination risks, and health impacts. Matching funds from local municipalities are also a factor.
The county is measuring the success of outreach efforts by tracking website traffic, inquiries to the health department, and engagement with local governments.
“The number of classrooms and students we reach through partnerships like the Outdoor Discovery Center is another key metric,” Kunetz says.
Allegan County’s proactive groundwater strategy has drawn praise from state officials.
“We were told by multiple state agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and EGLE, that this is fantastic,” Kunetz says. “They see it as a model for other counties to follow.”
Kunetz believes the county’s efforts set an important precedent.
"Other counties have already reached out to us to learn about our approach," he says. "We hope this becomes a model for sustainable water management across the state. It is true we are taking an unusual approach, but I’d call it visionary. We’re being proactive, and we hope other counties follow our lead.”