But much more funding is needed.
American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding has now supported $140,471,648 in grants to 24 Michigan communities to address drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs. Congress approved this funding in 2021 to stimulate the economy when it was recovering from the pandemic.
The funds are part of $1.9 billion in one-time money for water needs approved by the Legislature in late 2021 – but the amount is far short of the need. A task force appointed by former Governor Rick Snyder estimated the annual gap between water infrastructure needs and available revenue to be $16.2 billion over 20 years.
In giving Michigan a D for its drinking water infrastructure in 2018, the American Society of Civil Engineers estimated the annual unmet need at $284 million to $563 million. Michigan has a long way to go in supplying adequate drinking water systems statewide, and will need a new long-term revenue source.
ARP funds were awarded to communities that submitted applications under the State Revolving Fund (SRF) revolving loan programs for both drinking water and sewage projects.
Drinking water projects include lead service line replacement, water main repairs and replacements, and upgrades to drinking water assets such as new wells, filter membranes, and pressure-reducing valves. Clean water projects include sewer system rehabilitation, combined sewer overflow elimination, improvements to wastewater treatment plants and collection systems, lagoon improvements, and nonpoint source mitigation projects.
“These federal funds, combined with aggressive investments from Michigan’s state budget, are helping communities protect the state’s freshwater resources, and to ensure consistent, healthy drinking water for Michiganders,” said Paul McDonald, Finance Division director of the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). “Michigan is home to the planet’s greatest freshwater ecosystem. This helps ensure we are good stewards of this incredible resource.”
Drinking Water Projects
| Benton Township | $5,175,000 |
| City of West Branch | $2,610,000 |
| City of Hamtramck | $795,000 |
| City of Muskegon Heights | $3,000,000 |
| City of Reed City | $3,505,000 |
| City of River Rouge | $585,000 |
| City of Ironwood | $3,000,000 |
| City of Cheboygan | $6,723,150 |
| City of Escanaba | $19,999,974 |
| City of Grand Ledge | $4,300,000 |
| City of Muskegon Heights | $8,400,000 |
| City of Onaway | $5,165,000 |
| City of Saginaw | $15,000,000 |
| City of Inkster | $7,115,625 |
| Village of Baldwin | $1,959,920 |
| Village of Westphalia | $60,000 |
| City of Owosso | $1,011,250 |
Wastewater Projects
| Augusta Drain Drainage District | $1,330,600 |
| City of Cheboygan | $2,188,000 |
| City of Grayling | $1,523,000 |
| City of Hartford | $372,500 |
| City of Inkster | $9,701,629 |
| City of Three Rivers | $4,215,000 |
| City of Reed City | $14,000,000 |
| Village of Paw Paw | $1,875,000 |
| Wayne County | $957,000 |
| City of Lansing | $15,850,000 |
