The city of New Buffalo has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the state to help replace lead water lines.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy this week announced nearly $12 million in MI Clean Water Plan grants to communities around the state with New Buffalo on the list.
The MI Clean Water Plan grants aim to help communities upgrade aging infrastructure, ensure healthy drinking water, and protect the environment. The grants are funded through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and support the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
EGLE says New Buffalo will use its grant for identifying or verifying lead service lines in preparation for their replacement. The process includes hydrovacing on either side of each curb stop and performing in-building investigations to document service line materials.
Under updated state rules, cities, villages, and townships across Michigan are required to rid themselves of a certain number of lead water service lines each year.
