MSU Water Alliance

Autumn Bland, a PhD student in the Department of Sociology, joined the WaterCube NRT Fellowship Program in 2025.

Autumn’s research focuses on water access and insecurity in the U.S. Working with MSU Associate Professor Stephen Gasteyer and other collaborators, she co-created (Dis)closing the Water Gap, a national dashboard that tracks household water, sanitation, and plumbing access.

Read the Publication: https://journals.plos.org/water/article?id=10.1371/journal.pwat.0000498

Explore the Tool: https://disclosingthewatergap.org


Michigan State University Sociology

Registration is open for the 2026 Michigan Sustainability Conference (MISCON), hosted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy(EGLE).

MISCON brings together sustainability professionals across business, government, higher education, and community organizations to share sustainability solutions and best practices.

When: Sept. 9-10, 2026
Where: Lansing, Michigan
Registration Deadline: Aug. 26, 2026

Register Here: https://egle.idloom.events/2026-MISCON

August is National Water Quality Month!

Safeguarding Michigan’s water resources requires year-round coordination across the state:

• Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) sets safety standards and monitors municipal drinking water systems
• Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development - MDARD works with farmers to reduce seasonal fertilizer and pesticide runoff
• Local health departments conduct beach water testing
• Watershed councils help to manage stormwater
• Universities track harmful algal blooms, monitor wastewater, and study emerging contaminants

How do MSU researchers evaluate water quality? By looking beneath the surface.

Dr. Bartolomeo Gorgoglione (Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources ) and his Fish Pathobiology & Immunology Lab sample riverine water and invertebrates to detect Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, an emerging fish parasite.

Identifying this parasite can act as an early warning, signaling environmental stress and shifting water conditions before disease impacts fish populations.

Looking for water-related events during the month of August? Check out these activities throughout Michigan and online:

Field Crops Virtual Breakfast (Zoom) This weekly webinar series from Michigan State University Extension is geared toward growers, agribusiness professionals, and anyone interested in agriculture.
👉 Register: https://msu.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=45b97ebbf5516c0ba8aac1f49&id=25424e92e2

Swim for Grand Traverse Bay (Traverse City) The Swim for Grand Traverse Bay is a fundraiser for The Watershed Center, a nonprofit that advocates for clean water in Grand Traverse Bay.
👉 Register: https://www.paddlesignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/SwimforGTBay

Sault Ste. Marie Riverfest (Sault Ste. Marie) This 8th annual event celebrates Sault Ste. Marie as an amazing playground for paddling and outdoor recreation.
👉 Details: https://www.chippewacountycommunityfoundation.org/saultriverfest/

Northwest Michigan TOPP Field Day (Petoskey) Join the Michigan Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) team for a field day in Emmet and Charlevoix Counties.
👉 Register: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/northwest-michigan-topp-field-day-farming-for-people-purpose-and-profit

📖 Our Book of the Month for August is Water Always Wins

Author and journalist Erica Gies explores how human efforts to control water with concrete, dams, and levees, have actually worsened floods and droughts. The book introduces the "Slow Water" movement which discusses working with nature's rhythms to restore environmental resilience.

Have ideas for future Book of the Month selections? Let us know! 👇

Four Michigan Research Universities Partner to Address the State's Beach Water Testing

Researchers at four Michigan universities have partnered up to field-test a new portable instrument called Bactiquick which could change the way the state monitors its beaches.

The Bactiquick assessment team includes:
- Dr. Ishi Keenum (Michigan Technological University)
- Dr. Nish*ta D'Souza (Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources)
- Dr. Jeffrey Ram (Wayne State University)
- Dr. Marisa Eisenberg (University of Michigan)

Learn more about Bactiquick and this Research Universities for Michigan (RU4M) collaboration: https://water.msu.edu/feature/four-michigan-research-universities-partner-address-states-beach-water-testing

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) peak during Michigan summers, but what actually causes them, and why are they dangerous?

We spoke with MSU Water Alliance member Subhasis Giri (Asst Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering - Michigan State University) to break down the science behind summer HABs:

• Summer heat, increased sunlight, and nutrient runoff create ideal conditions for rapid algae growth
• These blooms produce harmful toxins that can contaminate drinking water, disrupt recreational activities, and create low-oxygen "dead zones" that harm fish and other aquatic life
• If you see blue-green water or thick scum, keep pets and children away and report it to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. When in doubt, stay out!

Protect what you love.
Protect where you live.
For generations to come.

Happy World Conservation Day!

Water is at the heart of everything we care about here in Michigan, sustaining our wildlife, supporting our beaches, lakes, and rivers, and securing a healthy ecosystem for future Michiganders.

Through our research, education, and community partnerships, the MSU Water Alliance is committed to protecting these freshwater resources today and every day.

Wednesdays are for water! 💧🌐🖥

We spoke with MSU Water Alliance member Erik Nordman (Director, Institute of Public Utilities) and D**g Zhao (School of Planning, Design & Construction) about data centers, misconceptions around them, and their potential impact on water resources.

Swipe to learn more! 👉