Alpena Seeks $3 million to Finish Replacement of Century‑old Clear Wells

The City of Alpena asked the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on behalf of its water utility for $3,000,000 to complete replacement of its finished‑water clear wells, citing leaks, failing concrete supports and rising construction costs.

The request addresses an urgent infrastructure need at the Alpena Water Treatment Plant, built in 1922 and serving roughly 15,000 residents and regional customers, including the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. Committee members heard that the plant produces about 700,000,000 gallons annually and that the two existing clear wells—constructed in 1922 and 1933—have reached the end of their service life.

"The existing clear wells constructed in 1922 and 1933 have a combined capacity of 1,000,000 gallons," Alpena City Manager Rachel Smolinski told the subcommittee. She said the tanks have shown persistent leakage and deterioration and that prior repairs completed in 2012–13 had a 15–20 year expected life.

Smolinski said Alpena designed two new 500,000‑gallon reinforced concrete clear wells to increase disinfection contact time and improve chlorine residuals in order to comply with Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) requirements. She said initial construction cost estimates were $6.2 million plus $1.0 million for design and engineering, and the city had received a $6.0 million state grant in 2022 toward the work.

Because of additional piping and valve needs and escalation in material and bid prices, Smolinski said bids reached $9,843,000 and the city began construction in July 2024 with substantial completion expected by the end of 2025. She said Alpena has used water fund reserves to start the project and postponed other capital projects to avoid borrowing, and is asking the legislature for $3,000,000 to avoid depleting the water fund further.

Committee member Representative Steckloff asked what other capital projects the city deferred and whether the $3,000,000 request covers the remaining gap. Steve Schultz, Alpena’s city engineer, explained the deferred projects are mostly multi‑block street water and sewer projects and that the city seeks to avoid reducing fund balances to an uncomfortable level.

Alpena emphasized that the clear well replacement is critical to public health, continued regulatory compliance, and regional economic stability. The subcommittee did not take a recorded vote on the request during the hearing; presenters and committee members discussed project scope, costs and timing.

The city provided photos of ongoing construction and said the project must maintain service during construction to continue supplying customers and regional users, including the military training center.

If approved, the requested $3,000,000 would be directed to complete construction and related infrastructure work at the Alpena Water Treatment Plant.