Board adopts KI Sawyer sewer project plan, seeks Clean Water SRF funds

Marquette County’s Board of Commissioners on April 21 adopted a project plan to pursue up to $10,000,000 in improvements to the KI Sawyer sanitary sewer and wastewater treatment system and authorized the board chair to submit the plan to the Michigan Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF).

Rob Anderson of TDI Consultants presented the plan, saying the selected alternative focuses on higher-priority needs across the system, including sanitary sewer pipe replacement and relining, lift-station upgrades, an enclosed screening system, a new sludge-drying bed, a plant generator and transformer, and replacing the current gas-chlorine disinfection system with a UV disinfection unit. Anderson said, “Alternative A was selected” and estimated the project cost at about $10,000,000.

Anderson described user-cost scenarios under different funding mixes: a 100% loan scenario would raise monthly user costs to just under $21 per month; a 50% grant/50% loan scenario would reduce that amount substantially. He also told commissioners SRF offers a mix of grant/loan options and that applications are scored by the state with funding offers likely in August.

A local wastewater expert who spoke during the hearing urged the board to invest in the project, stressing reliability of lift stations and standby generators. The board’s vice chair moved to adopt the resolution authorizing submission; the motion was supported and passed on roll call.

Next steps: staff will finalize project documents for SRF submission and return with funding offers and implementation details if awarded.