Senator Stabenow, Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, and Regional Water Resource Leaders Announce Major Improvements Coming to SE Michigan Water Systems

ST. CLAIR SHORES — U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, St. Clair County Commissioner Jeff Bohm, Great Lakes Water Authority Interim CEO Suzanne Coffey, and Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel today announced significant funding from the recently passed federal budget that will improve water quality in Southeast Michigan. These improvements will address serious water quality issues in the region and help keep our water clean for swimming and fishing, help manage the flow of sewage to prevent the flooding of roads and homes during heavy rains, and replace lead pipes to keep our children and families healthy.

The water system projects include:

-            Chapaton Retention Basin: The Chapaton Retention Basin will receive $4,500,000 to prevent sewage from being pumped in Lake St. Clair to keep our beaches open and water clean for swimming and fishing.

-            Martin Drain System: the Martin Sanitary Diversion Drainage District will receive $1,000,000 to reduce sewage overflows into Lake St. Clair to keep our beaches open and our water clean for swimming and fishing.

-            Great Lakes Water Authority: the Great Lakes Water Authority will receive $2,000,000 to upgrade the Detroit River Interceptor to prevent the flooding of roads and homes during heavy rains.

-            City of St. Clair Water Treatment Plant Improvements: the City of St. Clair will receive $970,000 to upgrade the Shorewell Pumping Station that will allow the city to grow and boost economic development.

-            St. Clair County Clay-Ira Interceptor Project: the Township of Clay will receive $1,000,000 in funding to upgrade aging water infrastructure to protect natural resources and keep our water safe and clean.

-            Pontiac Drinking Water Improvements: the Oakland County Water Resources Commission will receive $800,000 to replace 8,000 lead service lines and failing water mains in Pontiac’s drinking water system. Replacing lead pipes will keep drinking water safe for children in Pontiac.  

“Communities across Michigan are in critical need of water system investments that will keep our beaches open, our drinking water safe, and our roads and homes protected during heavy rains. I am pleased to have partnered with our local leaders on these major priorities that will make a significant difference for residents across the region,” said Senator Stabenow.  

“We’re very appreciative and grateful for the efforts to secure funding for the Chapaton Retention Treatment Basin project. These funds will help reduce combined sewer overflows which unfortunately are discharged to Lake St. Clair during heavy rain events, and to improve water quality,” said Candice S. Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner. “These funds will be used to improve underground infrastructure in order to protect Michigan’s natural resources.”

“We are extremely excited to be receiving this money. This will help move our water capacity expansion project forward in the city of St Clair. Currently we are near maximum capacity in our water plant,” said Jeff Bohm, St. Clair County Board Commissioner. “This expansion in turn will help our ability to expand and attract additional investment in the St. Clair area and St Clair County.”

“GLWA is extremely grateful to Senator Stabenow for her assistance in obtaining $2 million for our multiphase project to clean, repair, rehabilitate, and maximize the capacity of the Detroit River Interceptor (DRI), one of the system’s major, as well as oldest, components. The optimization of the DRI will help not only minimize the overflow of untreated or partially treated wastewater into the surrounding waterways, but also relieve potential backups in other areas of the regional system,” said Suzanne Coffey, Great Lakes Water Authority Interim CEO.

“This funding for Pontiac will allow us to more quickly replace lead service lines to ensure the health and safety of our Pontiac residents,” said Tim Greimel, Pontiac Mayor.

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