Q and A with city manager shares what’s planned
By Barb Pert Templeton
“See where Algonac’s water comes to life.”
It’s the tagline blaring from a flyer being circulated in the city right now to promote the upcoming public tours of the city’s water filtration plant.
The special event, set for Monday, May 18 from 4:00 to 6:30 P.M., invites everyone to come and get a behind-the-scenes look at how water is treated and tested before being delivered to the community.
“People turn on the tap every day without thinking about it—this is a chance to see the work behind that reliability,” Algonac City Manager Artie Bryson said in an email seeking additional information about the public tour.
It’s been quite a few years since the plant doors were swung open to the public and organizers of the tour are pleased to have the opportunity to welcome visitors to the site again.
“Our team is dedicated to protecting public health while also providing dependable water service and fire protection flows for the community,” Bryson said.
This is the colorful information flyer about the public tours of the Algonac Water Filtration Plant coming up next week.
Blue Water Healthy Living posed a number of additional questions about the tour including the process the time it should take to complete the tour and what the city hopes to accomplish by offering it.
Here are the city manager’s responses:
Blue Water Healthy Living: What’s the idea behind the water filtration plant tours?
Algonac City Manager Artie Bryson: The goal is to open the doors and give residents a firsthand look at how their drinking water is produced. We want to build trust, increase transparency, and help people understand the level of care, technology, and expertise that goes into delivering safe, reliable water every day.
BWHL: Can you share a bit about the plant?
Bryson: The Algonac Water Department filters, treats, and delivers an average of 1.5 million gallons of water daily to residents and businesses in Algonac, Clay Township, and portions of Cottrellville Township. Our system uses a microfiltration process, where water is passed through specialized membrane filters that remove microorganisms and suspended particles. This advanced treatment process helps ensure we consistently meet—and exceed—all federal, state, and local water quality standards.
BWHL: Who’s actually hosting this event?
Bryson: The event is being hosted by the City of Algonac, with the city manager and Water Department staff leading the tours and answering questions.
BWHL: Is it a continuous tour during the open house from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.?
Bryson: Yes. Tours will run continuously throughout the event, so residents can arrive at any time during the open house.
Algonac City Manager Artie Bryson.
BWHL: How long will it take to tour the plant?
Bryson: A full tour will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes, depending on group size and questions.
BWHL: Will there be hands-on demonstrations for the public?
Bryson: Yes. Visitors will have the opportunity to see and learn about water testing procedures, giving them a better understanding of how we monitor and maintain water quality.
BWHL: The flyer says “fun for all ages” – will there be activities for kids?
Bryson: While this is primarily an educational event, kids are absolutely welcome. The equipment, process, and behind-the-scenes look at how water is treated tend to be interesting for all ages.
BWHL: Will there be literature about the plant for visitors to take home?
Bryson: We are working on putting together informational materials so visitors can take home a summary of what they learned during the tour.
BWHL: Has the city opened the plant for public tours in the past?
Bryson: Not in recent years, which is part of why we’re excited to offer this opportunity now. It’s a great way to reconnect the community with an essential public service.
BWHL: What are organizers hoping visitors learn from touring the facility?
Bryson: We want visitors to leave with a clear understanding of how their water is treated, the safeguards in place to protect public health, and the expertise of the team behind it all. Most importantly, we want them to walk away confident that their water is safe, reliable, and carefully managed every single day. The water plant is located at 1530 St. Clair River Drive in Algonac. There will be additional parking available across from the plant at the Church of Christ parking lot.
