Commission adopts project plan to replace lead service lines; funding sought from Michigan drinking‑water loan program

The Battle Creek City Commission adopted Resolution 130 approving a final project plan for replacement of lead service lines and designating an authorized city project representative. The plan was prepared by Jones & Henry Engineers Limited and the city plans to apply for funding from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

The resolution authorizes submission of the project plan and authorizes staff to pursue available funding. Commissioner Simmons thanked staff for follow-up after the public hearing and said commissioners have two primary options for funding the local share: include the costs on customer water bills or take a low‑interest loan that could include principal forgiveness, reducing the bill impact for residents if grant or forgiveness funds are awarded.

“I think the two options were to include that all in our citizens' water bill or take out a low interest loan, with the hope that a significant portion of that could be waived or received a grant for and then have a much smaller subsidy from our citizens' water bills,” Commissioner Simmons said. The city manager and staff said the application is an initiation step and the city will not know its final award or terms until the state review is complete.

Why it matters: Replacing lead service lines addresses public‑health concerns about lead exposure in drinking water and will likely involve multi‑year work and funding decisions that affect water rates or debt financing.

Next steps: Staff will submit the application to EGLE and continue to evaluate financing options; commissioners asked staff to communicate options and to return with details about likely impacts if a loan with principal forgiveness is or is not awarded.