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Alpena asks state for $3 million to finish replacement of century-old clear wells
Summary
City of Alpena told the House Appropriations Subcommittee it needs $3 million to complete replacement of two aging finished-water clear wells at its 1922 water treatment plant after bids and added infrastructure work raised the project cost to about $9.84 million.
The City of Alpena asked the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for $3 million on behalf of its water treatment plant to complete replacement of two finished-water clear wells.
City Manager Rachel Smolinski told the committee the plant — constructed in 1922 and designated an American Water Landmark — supplies about 700,000,000 gallons annually to roughly 15,000 residents, including Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center personnel, and serves as the sole municipal source of drinking water for the city and Alpena Charter Township. "The existing clear wells constructed in 1922 and 1933 have a combined capacity of 1,000,000 gallons," Smolinski said, describing persistent leakage, failing concrete supports and earth-covered ceilings that have shown signs of leakage.
Alpena officials said the project originally had an estimated construction cost of $6.2 million plus $1 million for design and engineering, and the city had been awarded a $6 million grant in 2022. But escalating material and construction costs and additional interior piping and valve work produced bids of $9,843,000, the city reported. The city began construction in July 2024 and seeks $3 million now to complete the work while avoiding borrowing and protecting the utility fund balance.
The proposal calls for two new 500,000‑gallon reinforced-concrete clear wells to improve disinfection contact time and stabilize chlorine residuals, which the city said will aid compliance with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy regulations. Steve Schultz, city engineer, told the committee the city delayed other capital projects, including several street-related water and sewer blocks, to finance the clear‑well work but remains concerned about exhausting its water fund balance.
No committee motions or votes were recorded. Committee members asked clarifying questions about overall project costs and trade-offs with other capital projects; no formal action was taken and the request remained a funding appeal to the Legislature.
Alpena officials said the work is already underway, with substantial completion planned for late 2025, and that finishing the clear wells is critical to continued safe drinking-water service for residents and regional partners including the military training center.
