Wayne County approves HUD grant to fund lead service-line testing in three cities

The Wayne County Commission on June 24 approved a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for fiscal year 2024 community project funding to support testing and early replacement planning for lead and galvanized water service lines in three cities in the county.

Commissioner Kenlock moved to approve the grant agreement; Commissioner Baker McCormick seconded and the motion carried. County staff said the award was initiated through Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib’s office and will fund testing and targeted replacement work in Garden City, Inkster and Redford Township.

“This is a congressional authorized grant for community development funds to do replacement testing and replacement to 3 major cities in Wayne County for lead pipe replacement,” said Stephanie Case, senior executive program manager for community development. Case said the three communities applied to the congresswoman’s office after testing showed lead levels above EPA and state recommendations.

County staff described the immediate use of funds as investigation and testing of roughly 400 homes to identify which residences connect to outside water service lines that are lead or galvanized, then confirm whether the internal home connection is also lead or galvanized. Garden City plans to use its allocation for testing and to begin pipe replacement; Inkster and Redford Township are scheduled to use their allocations for testing and investigation, with Redford Township expected to proceed to some replacement work later.

Huston Shaikh, director of economic development, said the county will “bite away at the issue” where funds are available and administer the dollars in partnership with the congresswoman’s office. County staff said the award includes administrative costs; they described the administrative portion as roughly $700,000 but did not provide a final, itemized budget at the meeting.

Commissioners asked whether the grant covers past testing costs and about the timetable for statewide replacement requirements. Staff said the award is for continuing testing and planning and does not reimburse past costs. Staff were unable to confirm an exact statewide deadline during the meeting; one staff remark referenced an unclear expiration date for the grant. Commissioners and staff said additional federal funding could be sought in future congressional cycles but would require congressional action.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (June 10, 2025): Motion by Commissioner Baydon, support by Commissioner Baker McCormick; motion carried. - Forwarding proposed amendment to the Detroit master plan of policies for review and comment (Item 1): Motion by Commissioner Baker McCormick, support by Commissioner Clemente; receiving file approved. - Approval of HUD FY2024 community project funding grant agreement for lead-service-line testing and replacement planning (Item 2): Motion by Commissioner Kenlock, support by Commissioner Baker McCormick; motion carried.

County staff said they are developing the administrative plan for distributing funds to the three municipalities and will return to commission processes as needed for project implementation or additional allocations. No public comment was recorded on the item during the meeting.