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

  • The One Water campaign blitz, in coordination with Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week, is this Spring, June 6 – 14! Watch, share, and get involved by sharing safety messages.
  • View and download 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 Fresh Water 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

May 30: Download Keep storm drains clear videoCaption: (optional: Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week and the One Water campaign starts on May 30! We encourage everyone to share messages about recreation and water quality with their communities. To learn more about One Water and how to participate, visit: MiOneWater.org)

We all play a part in helping keep our water clean. Overloading the water system during storms causes flooding and basement backups. Keep our systems fresh and flowing. #MiGreatLakesWeek

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June 6: Be ready for floodingCaption: TBD

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June 7: Download Clean up after your pet videoCaption: Let’s keep pollution out of our waterways, clean up after your pets. #MiGreatLakesWeek

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June 8: Man stuck in a rain barrel 

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Download vertical (mobile friendly) video		Caption: Don’t get stuck. Visit your community’s or watershed’s website website to get the help you need to install a rain barrel on your property. #MiGreatLakesWeek

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June 9: Download Water affordability videoCaption: If you or someone you know cannot afford their water bill, resources are available to help find assistance programs in your community. View ongoing programs on SEMCOG’s Water Infrastructure Planning Guide website: https://water-infrastructure-planning-guide-semcog.hub.arcgis.com/pages/affordability

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June 10: Download careers in water videoCaption: 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

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June 11: Download Don’t put FOG down the drain videoCaption: Don’t put fats, oils, or grease down drains, 🗑️ ’em #MiGreatLakesWeek

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June 12: Download Report pollution videoCaption: An illicit discharge is the release of pollutants like sediment, oil, or bacteria into storm drains, which can harm local lakes and streams. In Southeast Michigan, communities must prevent these discharges to protect water quality, and residents can help by reporting potential incidents to the appropriate agency. Learn more on our website. #MiGreatLakesWeek

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June 13: Keep your valuables off the floor

Driver with a phone mounted on the dash, with text that reads, Use hands-free technology. Using your phone while driving is distracting, dangerous, and illegal.Safe Streets Southeast Michigan logo and SafeStreetsMi.org URL are shown.		Caption: Keep your valuables safe and dry!  #MiGreatLakesWeek

Alt text: A person placing a green storage bin on a high shelf in a basement. Text says, During intense storms, keep your valuables off the floor of your basement. One Water, mi one water dot com
June 14: Download Do not flush “flushable” wipes videoCaption: Our wastewater treatment plants aren’t designed to handle “flushable” wipes.  #MiGreatLakesWeek

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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!