Federal funds have ensured Muskegon’s water is safe to drink, but city leaders there — and in other Michigan communities — are concerned those funds may dwindle when there’s still work to be done.
Last fall, new federal guidelines were set, requiring the replacement of lead pipes by 2037 and stricter water testing. Muskegon began lead service line replacements in 2018 using federal funds. Dan VanderHeide, who heads Muskegon Public Works, says he’s grateful for the federal infrastructure funding that has helped with these projects, but he’s also concerned that since 2022, the yearly amounts have decreased significantly.
“While we’ve been able to make good progress toward meeting the deadlines that the EPA and the state have set in place, we’re seeing that source of funding that we’ve been able to take advantage of drying up,” VanderHeide said.
VanderHeide warns they have secured about $27 million for 2025, but he anticipates another $60 million will be needed to complete the line replacement, and if the funds aren’t there, residents may be forced to foot the bill to ensure safe water.
There are an estimated 6 to 10 million lead service lines in the U.S. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 allocated $15 billion to replace lead pipes across the country.
