Cities receive grants for clean water improvements and studies

Royal Oak and Harper Woods are the recent local recipients of grants under the MI Clean Water plan which will better help the communities ensure residents have clean and safe tap water.

Royal Oak received a $252,133 grant from the Drinking Water Asset Management (DWAM) grant which has a total of $36.5 million available to assist water supplies in asset management plan development or upgrades and/or distribution system materials inventory as depending in Michigan’s Lead or Copper Rule.

Harper Woods received a $15,800 grant from the Affordability and Planning (AP) grantwhich has a total of $7.5 million available to any community water supply and local unit of government including cities, townships, counties, villages and othersto assist with planning and/or rate studies.

Cities receive grants for clean water improvements and studies

“These community water systems are critical to ensuring clean water for homes and businesses,” said the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Director Liesl Clark. “Our staff’s ongoing technical outreach and the Mi Clean Water initiative are important links in that chain.”

The grants help efforts across the state to help deal with issues such as lead-laden water service lines, undersized sewers, failing septic systems, toxic contamination such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and constrained local budgets.

The Michigan Clear Water Plan is a $500 million investment announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to rebuild the state’s water infrastructure to help provide clean, affordable water to Michiganders through investments in communities.

“We will continue making significant investments under the MI Clean Water Plan to replace lead service lines, tackle toxic contaminants including PFAs, and upgrading wastewater and stormwater management systems, all while creating thousands of good-paying jobs,” said Whitmer in a news release. “Today’s grants will help communities across Michigan facing unique challenges maintain and improve their water systems. I am grateful for the ongoing partnerships between the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and local communities to ensure that every Michigander has access to clean, safe drinking water.”

— MediaNews Group staff