To provide water resource recovery, stormwater, electric, lighting and communications services in a
The City of Grand Rapids Environmental Services Department oversees stormwater management, sewer maintenance, and wastewater treatment. Environmental Services staff are responsible for:
• Market Avenue Retention Basin with storage capacity of 30 million gallons of water and treatment capacity of 1.1 billion gallons a day
• Primary Effluent Retention Basin with storage capacity of 10 million g
What does stormwater management actually look like? The work blends infrastructure, green design, and environmental planning to manage how rain moves through our city. The goal? Livable spaces that also protect our local waterways 💧
05/27/2026
Water Pool-ooza at the Lakeshore is a FREE, event for families in the Grand Rapids area, offering an exciting, hands-on look at how our drinking water is sourced, treated, and protected. Through guided tours of the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant and interactive activities led by water professionals, attendees explore real-world careers, conservation efforts, and how they can become champions of clean, fresh water in their community.
40 million gallons a day. Collect, treat, return 💧
05/15/2026
Rain gardens work best with native plants, and here's why. Natives have deeper root systems that absorb more stormwater runoff, they filter pollutants naturally, and they thrive without extra water or chemicals. Better for the environment, easier for you 🌿
Quick reminder! Only the 3 P's belong in the toilet: p*e, p**p, and (toilet) paper. Your plumbing (and our treatment plant) appreciate it 💧
Don't mind Nate, he's just cleaning out his neighborhood catch basin! Blocked catch basins can cause big problems like flooding, and a lot of people don't realize that stormwater goes directly to our creeks and rivers untreated. A quick rake is all it takes to keep things flowing and protect the waterways we love. 💧
04/28/2026
Thinking about redoing your yard? Go native. 🌿 Native plants use less water, support pollinators, and help manage stormwater. Good for your yard, even better for the environment!
Fun fact: thanks to our Water Resource Recovery Facility, water that enters the system leaves cleaner than when it came in. Advanced treatment processes remove harmful pollutants before that water is returned to the Grand River. 💧
Happy Earth Day! Highland Park is alive with the creek, the roots, the soil. Shiloh heads outside to connect with nature and show these beautiful spaces in our community. This Earth Day, take a walk, listen to your surroundings, and remember that every small action we take helps protect the land and water we share. 🌿
04/17/2026
When heavy rain hits, flooding can affect neighborhoods across the city. If you're seeing standing water in your area today, avoid driving or walking through it and keep kids and pets away from runoff. Stay safe and give it time.