Mount Clemens awarded $46,800 state grant for drinking-water asset management

Mount Clemens officials told the City Commission on Feb. 6 that the city has been awarded a $46,800 Drinking Water Asset Management Grant from the State of Michigan.

Mr Shipman announced the award and said the funding will support a water-service material investigation (sampling service lines at customer homes), valve and gate assessments and a 25% reimbursement toward a new VOR truck scheduled for delivery in June 2023. "Mount Clemens has been awarded a drinking water Asset Management Grant the amount of $46,800," Mr Shipman said.

Commissioners asked for detail about the "water-service material investigation." Staff responded the program will sample 360 randomly selected houses by accessing the water service box and documenting the service-line material to determine what is coming off the city main and into residences. Staff said sampling will roll out in groups of about 30 houses and that residents will receive letters before crews come to their property.

The commission moved to enter the grant agreement and authorize execution of the necessary documents; the grant agreement must be signed by the city and the State of Michigan before funds are drawn. City staff credited Utilities Director Leonard Bertran and AW Engineering (Ashley Casey) for preparing the application.

Officials said the work is tied to Michigan's lead and copper rules and is intended to help the city identify service-line materials, not to immediately replace lines. Staff described the outreach plan (letters sent as each group is scheduled) after commissioners noted the topic had been raised on social media.