There will be a lot of sewer work in Benton Harbor in the coming years if all goes according to plan. At a meeting this past week, city commissioners approved a project planning document that will have the city seek around $20 million from the state Drinking Water Revolving Fund for sanitary sewer work. Elaine Venema of civil engineering firm Fleis and VandenBrink said work is needed throughout the city, not only on sewer lines, but on infrastructure like lift stations.
“In 2017, 30% of the pipes, the wastewater gravity pipes, were over 100 years old, and another 30% were between 76 and 100 years old. So, that’s about 60% of the city’s wastewater infrastructure that’s probably beyond its useful life.”
Venema said the city is on a good position to get loan forgiveness, or just to receive the funds in the form of a grant. The only way to know is to apply to the state. Mayor Marcus Muhammad said the need for the infrastructure work is critical and must be done. If all goes well, a project plan could come together this fall with construction starting in the fall of next year. It would take a couple of years to complete. Before anything is final, another approval would be needed from the city commission.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
