About Us
Our Mission
We seek to inspire the residents and communities of Washtenaw County to protect surface water and the environment while maintaining necessary drainage. Within the authority granted to our office, we provide resources to reduce flooding, dispose of home toxics, and improve water quality.
The Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner is responsible for:
- Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control
- Public Works programs
- Emergency flood response
- Maintenance of court-set lake levels
- Financing drain projects through sale of notes and bonds
- Managing Drain financial accounts
- Design, construction, and operation and maintenance of over 500 stormwater management and flood control systems (County Drains)
- Recovering costs of operation by levying special assessments on private property, local government, and others who benefit from drainage and stormwater management improvement projects.
- Implementation of the federally-mandated Phase II NPDES Stormwater Permit Program
- Review and issue approval to plans for private stormwater systems in new developments and redevelopments.
- Watershed plan development and implementation
- Public education and involvement programs, including the Environmental Excellence Partnership Program (E2P2), Community Partners for Clean Streams Program (CPCS), RiverSafe Homes Program, and Rain Garden Program.
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Contact Us
View the staff directory listing with employees and division information.
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County Drains
Within County drainage districts, the Water Resources Commissioner is responsible for maintaining records of the establishment and operation of each drain, for conducting routine maintenance of the drains, and for the accounting of expenditures and financial statements.
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Report an Issue
The Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner wants you to report any and all drainage or flooding concerns relating to county drains, illegal dumping, or soil erosion.
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Projects
Any necessary repairs costing more than $5,000 per mile requires a drain petition, township resolution, or emergency situation. See current Water Resources petition projects and their statuses.
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Special Assessments
Under the Drain Code of 1956, the Water Resources Commissioner shall make a special assessment roll for the drain for each county, township, city, and/or village affected. These assessments cover many of the expenses of locating, establishing and constructing the drain, including maintenance of the drain.
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Meetings & Notices
Access meeting information for the Water Resources Office, Statutory Drainage Board, Solid Waste Planning Committee, and Board of Public Works.
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Statutory Drainage Board
The Statutory Drainage Board meets monthly to oversee the management of drains established under Chapter 20 of the Michigan Drain Code, which are established for public health, convenience or welfare. Chapter Twenty-one provides for procedures in multi-county projects. They parallel the Chapter Twenty procedures with a few exceptions.
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Lake Levels
The Water Resources Commissioner's Office actively monitors the level of the Horseshoe Lake and Portage/ Base Line Lakes.
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Maps
Buy a custom map, view maps of the county drains, or use the interactive map of Washtenaw.
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Reports & Publications
View our annual reports, solid waste reports, customer survey reports, stormwater permit reports, and publications for residents and businesses.
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Social Media
Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner's Office social media channels and disclosure statement.
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Freedom of Information Act
Requesting Freedom of Information Act from Washtenaw County government.
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Phone: 734-222-6860
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Water Resources
Physical Address
705 N Zeeb Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
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Materials Management / Public Works
Phone: (734) 222-6860
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