Governor proposes funding to help with replacing lead water lines

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck may be in line to receive funding to replace the city’s lead water lines sooner than expected.
Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a plan to expand the state Clean Water Plan by $300 million.
The proposal would tap into state and federal funds that came from the American Rescue Plan. Whitmer is targeting communities that have tested for high lead levels in their drinking water.
“Every Michigander in every community deserves access to safe drinking water, and we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity right now to use the federal dollars we have to put Michiganders first and make lasting investments in our water infrastructure,” said Whitmer, in a press release.
Recently, a sample from six out of 42 houses tested in Hamtramck showed slightly elevated lead levels. That stirred a panic of sorts among residents, and the city is now distributing free water filters every Tuesday and Thursday in city hall.
City officials are also hoping to receive funding from the recently passed $1 trillion infrastructure plan proposed by President Joe Biden and passed by Congress.
Whitmer’s plan will earmark $200 million to help communities replace lead lines.
It is estimated that it will cost $55 million just to replace all of Hamtramck’s lead water lines. The cost breaks down to $10,500 per household.
The city began replacing the lines over the past two years. About 500 have been replaced so far, and over 300 will be replaced next year.
There is a state mandate requiring all communities to replace their lead water lines within the next 20 years.
The proposal also includes $40 million to be set aside to help low-income households pay for plumbing repairs. That assistance will be open to those whose income falls 200 percent below the federal poverty level.
According to the 2020 Census, 46 percent of Hamtramck’s population lives in poverty, with a median household income at a little over $27,000.
Posted Nov. 26, 2021