In 2026, communities throughout Southeast Michigan will celebrate Great Lakes and Freshwater Week to remind us of the immense benefits that come with living in the heart of the world’s greatest freshwater resource.

This celebration is also an opportunity to reflect on the responsibility we share in protecting water quality for ourselves and future generations. There is only One Water, and it’s ours to protect.

Participating in One Water

  • View and download videos (stay tuned for 2026 videos)
  • Suggested social messages, captions, and alternative text are provided below to help participation in 2026 Great Lakes and Freshwater Week.
  • Follow the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on social media for information on Great Lakes and Freshwater Week, events/webinars, water quality tips, and more.
  • Follow the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) on social media and tag us @SEMCOG (@SEMCOG1 on Instagram).

Social Posts

Recommended social media posts. Are you sharing SEMCOG messages on social media or elsewhere? Let us know — we’d love to include your posts in our annual implementation report!

Videos

  • Great Lakes and Freshwater Week and the One Water campaign starts soon! We encourage everyone to share recreation and water quality messages with their community. #MiGreatLakesWeek

  • Let’s keep pollution out of our waterways, clean up after your pets. #MiGreatLakesWeek

  • Careers in water operations are stable, offer competitive salaries, great benefits, provide opportunities for growth, and allow you the chance to give back to your community. #MiGreatLakesWeek

  • Keep water away from your home’s foundation, and keep your downspouts about four feet away from your house. If you can, connect your downspout to a rain barrel or have a drain into a rain garden. #MiGreatLakesWeek

  • Michigan’s water professionals work behind the scenes to clean, deliver, and renew our essential water resources. With the increasing need for water infrastructure improvements, there is a substantial and immediate demand in these fields. #MiGreatLakesWeek

  • There’s only One Water, and it’s ours to protect #MiGreatLakesWeek

  • Conservation starts with a caring, committed community. There’s only One Water and it’s ours to protect. #MiGreatLakesWeek

  • Clearing storm drains and the areas of nearby trash and leaves helps keep them for rain only (rain emoji) #MiGreatLakesWeek

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    Great Lakes and Freshwater Week and the One Water campaign starts soon! We encourage everyone to share recreation and water quality messages with their community. #MiGreatLakesWeek

    Graphics

    Events

    Planning a regional water-related event? Please let us know, SEMCOG would love to share it!