15 OCTOBER 2022 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Michigan Taps Funding Sources for Water Infrastructure Adapted from Information by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Michigan has a rising stream of support for water infrastructure. The recently passed bipartisan 2023 state budget included $48 million in technical assistance which can help communities apply for funds to replace lead water lines or other water infrastructure, and $7.9 million for drinking water permitting, both through EGLE. “Few things are more important to our households and businesses than clean drinking water, surface water, and groundwater,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I’m pleased to work with the Legislature and all partners to keep investments flowing to strengthen Michigan’s vital water infrastructure and support a healthy and prosperous future.” The annual budget is only part of the picture. Major ongoing sources of water infrastructure funding and financing in the state include: MI Clean Water Plan: Governor Whitmer’s bipartisan plan from 2020, announced 169 awards totaling $124 million to support water infrastructure needs in communities all over Michigan. Some programs started under this plan will continue through the Building Michigan Together Plan (described below), with more grants expected to be finalized soon. All told, MI Clean Water directed $102.1 million in federal funds to replace lead service lines in low-income communities and $105 million for general fund programs addressing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) or other contaminants, lead service line identification, planning and rate studies, and asset management plan development. Building Michigan Together Plan: On March 30, 2022, Governor Whitmer signed the nearly $5 billion bipartisan plan, also known as Public Act 53, into law. The state’s largest ever investment in infrastructure rebuilding included more than $1.9 billion for water improvements, $1.26 billion of that in the form of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated over fiscal years 2023-24 to state revolving funds for drinking water and wastewater (see below). Building Michigan Together also promised to create up to 27,000 jobs through at least $341 million to replace 20,000 lead water service lines, including 100% of lead service lines in Benton Harbor. Also in the plan: e $40.5 million to help communities tackle toxic contaminants such as PFAS in drinking water and wastewater. e $20 million for the Drinking Water Asset Management grant program to help drinking water suppliers develop and update asset management plans and take stock of materials in their distribution systems, such as lead service lines. State revolving funds: The Dr inking Water State Revolving Fund offers low-interest loans for 20, 30, or 40 years to help eligible water suppliers with projects to satisfy requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Loan funds available for fiscal year 2023 projects total $256.5 million, with $91 million in the form of loan principal forgiveness. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund offers similar lowinterest loans to help qualified local municipalities build needed facilities for water pollution control. The fund will provide $881 million in financing for 2023, $68.3 million as loan principal forgiveness. EGLE has regulatory oversight for all public water supplies in Michigan, including approximately 1400 community water supplies and 10,000 noncommunity water supplies. The department also regulates the water well drilling industry, investigates drinking water well contamination, and oversees remedial activities at sites where groundwater contamination affects drinking water wells. Michigan has more than a million households served by private wells, with approximately 15,000 domestic wells drilled each year. Courtesy of Keller Well Drilling. WTR Water Well Swivels Aft Com Pip Pip Rot Sid ermarket pound e Thread e Spinners ating Heads e Inlet Swivels kingoiltool (580) 234-4 sales@kingtoo Rig s.com 141 ls.com Parts
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