Coldwater seeks $3 million from state revolving fund to continue lead service line replacements

The City of Coldwater Board of Public Utilities approved a request to apply for up to $3 million from the Michigan Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) to continue replacing lead and galvanized service lines.

Brian (staff member) presented the draft SRF project plan, telling the board the proposed construction and design estimate is about $3 million and that the city has completed roughly 400 of about 1,200 original lead service lines, leaving just over 800 still to be replaced. "We're down to we've done 400, roughly 400. We've got just over 800 left to replace," he said.

Diane Fulkowski, vice president and senior engineer at Fishbeck, reviewed SRF timing and program requirements. She said the SRF supports compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and that the program offers low‑interest loans with the possibility of principal forgiveness depending on available funds. "We're applying, like Brian said, for $3,000,000 with the remaining bipartisan infrastructure law dollars through EGLE," Fulkowski said. She added the draft plan was posted to the city website for public review and that the plan must be submitted by June 1; draft funding plans are expected in August with final allocations in October.

Fishbeck’s presentation identified Ward 4 as a priority area (about 456 services remaining there) and noted some upcoming costlier replacement segments on streets such as Marshall and Chicago that could raise the overall program cost. The board heard an overall estimated range to complete remaining lead replacements of roughly $7 million to $10 million, depending on the more expensive streets and timing.

Board members asked about available grant or principal‑forgiveness levels; Fulkowski said the exact reimbursement or principal forgiveness level for this SRF application had not been determined and that the per‑user cost would drop if the city receives principal forgiveness. The consultant earlier noted prior lead replacement reimbursements covered 100% of wages, materials and equipment hours in earlier phases.

The board approved the motion to apply for the $3 million SRF project plan and to post the draft for public comment; staff said they will present the plan to City Council on May 27 and include any public comments in the submission to EGLE. Staff noted some existing SRF grant funds must be used by a near deadline (September), and the city will continue replacements out of operating funds if reimbursements are not available in time.

No formal dollar commitment beyond the application was approved; the board’s vote authorized applying for SRF funding and moving the project plan through required public‑comment and council steps.