Annual Michigan State of the 

Multiple agencies and organizations come together to share progress and challenges in Michigan waters

LANSING, Michigan —Today, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) released the 2024 Michigan State of the Great Lakes Report. The report explores major accomplishments, issues, initiatives, and challenges related to the health and sustainability of our Great Lakes—the world’s greatest surface freshwater system. Partner is a word you’ll find more than 50 times in the new report. In 15 articles over more than 30 pages, the magazine-style annual report touches again and again on how individuals, communities, organizations, universities, tribes, and governments unite around the ecology and economy of Michigan’s Great Lakes. The report also includes introductory reflections by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and EGLE Director Phil Roos.

“Living in a state surrounded by 21% of the world’s fresh surface water, every Michigander has a unique responsibility to steward and protect our water resources, both Great and small,” Roos said of the report. “Our waters are central to our heritage, key to our economy, and are a critical natural resource. The 2024 State of the Great Lakes Report highlights the challenges these resources face and the importance of collective action to protect them. I hope it will inspire continued action as we head into a new year.”

By statute, EGLE’s Office of the Great Lakes (OGL) prepares and submits the report each calendar year to the state Legislature on behalf of the Governor. In addition to being delivered to state legislators, the 2024 report is posted online along with recent years’ editions.

The Great Lakes hold 21% of the world’s fresh surface water and provide drinking water for more than 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada. A Michigan Sea Grant study of 2018 data found that the lakes supported more than 1.3 million jobs generating $82 billion in wages annually – equivalent to more than $100 million in 2024.

This annual report calls us as Michiganders to reflect on stewardship of our water wonderland,” said EGLE Great Lakes Senior Advisor and Strategist Emily Finnell. “I believe every reader will find cause for celebration along with motivation to do even better.”

Finnell wrote in the report about highlights of OGL action and funding priorities including a green maritime economy; groundwater data; environmental justice, equity, and inclusion; and pollution from plastics and microplastics.

The report highlights activities related to every Great Lake bordering Michigan and specific regions from the Detroit area to Benton Harbor to northern Michigan rivers and streams and everywhere in between. Topics and sectors covered include agriculture, shipping, recreation, education, science, infrastructure, invasive species, conservation, funding, and more.

Leaders and staff from a wide range of Great Lakes and environmental organizations and agencies authored articles for the report: the City of Benton Harbor; EGLE; Friends of the Detroit River; the Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Labor and Economic Opportunity, and Natural Resources; Michigan State University and the MSU Extension; the Nature Conservancy; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and the University of Michigan Water Center.

Here’s a cover-to-cover list of topics covered:

• OGL achievements and plans: The office within EGLE is approaching its 40th year with a strong resume and a long to-do list.
• Researching and monitoring the Great Lakes: EGLE’s Great Lakes coordinators report on a year of science in and around lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie.
• Remediating Detroit River sediment: Cleaning up 100-plus years of pollution in one of Michigan’s designated Areas of Concern is a team effort.
• Guarding against invasive carp: An interstate agreement will accelerate work on an essential barrier to the fishes’ spread into the Great Lakes.
• Bringing back Arctic grayling and lake whitefish: Two iconic Great Lakes species could soon resume spawning runs in Michigan rivers.
• Combating Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms: A Domestic Action Plan Team is working to reduce phosphorus concentrations and nutrient loading in the Western Lake Erie Basin.
• Advancing the “blue-green economy”: A Michigan Maritime Strategy focused on clean energy will lead the way to economic and environmental benefits.
• Embracing Michigan the Beautiful: Partners are uniting to conserve, connect, and restore 30% of the state’s waters and lands by 2030.
• Progress restoring Benton Harbor’s Ox Creek: Community involvement continues to drive action on a top regional priority in West Michigan.
• Protecting vital coastal wetlands: A new blueprint tool will soon guide conservation planning from Saginaw Bay to the Lake Erie Basin.
• Managing stormwater amid climate change: New approaches can bring costly but necessary infrastructure upgrades within reach.
• Providing support for failing septic systems: A loan program is now available to help homeowners meet the high costs of repair or replacement.
• Supporting water efficiency and conservation: New projects are exploring best practices in agriculture and beyond.
• Reaching K-12 students: The state’s From Students to Stewards initiative is expanding with learning based on places, problems, and projects.
• Connecting water with wellness: Research shows how access to healthy waters can improve people’s mental and physical well-being.

About EGLE’s Office of the Great Lakes: The OGL develops policy and implements strategic programs to protect, restore, and sustain the Great Lakes watershed. The office collaborates with partner organizations to support sustainable water use and development of Great Lakes maritime resources; support vibrant and resilient communities; foster water stewardship; and advance science, research, and policy to solve the next generation of water challenges. Its mission is to ensure a healthy environment, strong water-focused blue economy, and high quality of life for Michiganders.

EGLE grants to help turn contaminated sites
into new housing

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is awarding two $1 million Brownfield Redevelopment Grants to help build new housing in Oakland County.

Riverfront Place, 211 First Street, Rochester This property has a long industrial history going back to the 1890s. It’s been used for bulk fuel storage, coal storage, machine shop, and railroad operations, and has been vacant since 1990. Soil and groundwater are contaminated with petroleum compounds, chlorinated solvents, and metals. The EGLE grant will be used to pay for further site assessments, demolition work, asbestos abatement, transportation and disposal of contaminated soil, management of contaminated groundwater, special gaskets for utility piping, a physical barrier to keep contamination from moving off-site through utility trenches, and a vapor mitigation system to keep vapors out of the new buildings. Plans for the $28 million Riverfront Place call for a five-story building with 129 apartments along with five separate buildings with three townhomes each. The developer is including things like a rain garden, amphitheater, and picnic area because the redevelopment is in the Clinton River Watertowns Project, an initiative to help communities improve their riverfront and water quality while alleviating the impact of climate change. Construction is expected to be finished in the summer of 2028.

Hillside Townes, 33000 & 33107 Thomas Street, 33104 Grand River Avenue, Farmington Three vacant sites will be turned into new downtown housing. 33000 Thomas was a former school and is contaminated with petroleum compounds. The other properties had homes on them and are contaminated with chlorinated solvents. The EGLE grant will be used to transport and dispose of approximately 5,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil, site investigations, and demolition of the former school and the houses. Plans for the $19.5 million redevelopment call for 53 owner-occupied townhomes that are a crucial part of the city’s effort to revitalize its downtown corridor. The developer will build a promenade on two city-owned lots starting at Grand River Avenue. $2.1 million in federal funding will be used for a public pathway through the development that connects Grand River Avenue to Shiawassee Park. A $1 million grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation and $500,000 from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments will help make the area even more pedestrian friendly. The developer expects to finish construction in 2027.

More than half of EGLE’s annual budget supports local projects, protects public health and the environment, and helps create economic growth and jobs for Michigan workers. Redevelopment increases the value of brownfield sites and other nearby properties. In 2023 EGLE awarded $31.3 million in brownfield incentives to 88 projects around Michigan.

EGLE announces $267 million in MI Clean Water grants to rebuild Michigan’s water infrastructure

State invests in dozens of local governments and water systems, protecting public health and the environment

New storm sewers and green infrastructure in Oakland County, lead water service line replacements in Marquette, and water main replacements in South Haven are among more than $267 million in state grants recently awarded to Michigan cities, villages, and townships to protect public health and Michigan’s world-class water resources.

“Every Michigander deserves access to clean, safe water and as our state’s most precious natural resource, we have to do more to protect it,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Since I took office, we have made the largest investments ever to build or fix water infrastructure. Together, we replaced tens of thousands of lead pipes, upgraded sewer systems to reduce flooding, and protected our lakes, streams, and waterways. Today’s grants will upgrade water infrastructure in cities and towns across the state, from West and Southeast Michigan all the way to the U.P. We will keep making tangible investments in infrastructure that make a real difference in people’s lives so parents can give their kids a glass of water from the tap and know that it is safe.”

Seventy percent of Michiganders are served by more than 1,000 community wastewater systems and a similar percentage get drinking water from community water systems. Those systems often struggle to find resources to address legacy issues like aging drinking water and storm water facilities and emerging challenges like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals.” The MI Clean Water Plan offers support to communities and water systems through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to address those issues, ensuring healthy drinking water and protection of Michigan’s environment.

“As we invest in local water infrastructure projects, we’re not just upgrading pipes and pumps; we’re revitalizing communities, ensuring access to clean water, and reducing costs for residents,” said Phil Roos, EGLE director. “The MI Clean Water Plan provides unprecedented resources to help communities modernize their water systems. Today’s $267 million investment supports dozens of communities from the rural reaches of the Upper Peninsula to urban centers downstate helping them remove lead service lines, upgrade water mains, and more. We’re proud to continue to make progress on rebuilding and modernizing Michigan’s water infrastructure.” Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Legislature, and the Biden-Harris Administration and their federal agencies have ramped up funding for aging water infrastructure. Since Governor Whitmer took office, the State of Michigan has invested over $4 billion to upgrade drinking water, storm water, and wastewater facilities across the state, supporting over 57,000 jobs.

More than half of EGLE’s budget has traditionally passed through to Michigan cities, towns, villages, and other local government agencies to finance critical improvements that help them better protect residents and our natural resources.

Grant roundup

Grants through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF): 

• County of Oakland for $933,750. The project is for rehabilitation of approximately 46,000 feet of sanitary sewer mains and repair/rehabilitation of approximately 267 manholes.

• City of Owosso for $2,600,000. The project consists of improvements to the secondary clarifier at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

• Great Lakes Water Authority for $14,011,908. The project consists of installation of an estimated 12,500 feet of storm sewer, 200 storm sewer manholes, catch basins, inlets, two water quality systems, 2,500 feet of 24-inch diameter sanitary sewer, 10 sanitary sewer manholes, and green infrastructure bioswale and bioretention areas in the City of Detroit’s West Chicago South residential neighborhood.

• City of Inkster for $20,000,000. This project focuses on work to eliminate eastern Rouge outfalls. This includes new combined sewer pump station and sanitary sewers to reroute flows to a retention treatment basin and provide relief capacity.

• Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) for $20,000,000. For GLWA’s Northwest Interceptor to Oakwood combined sewer overflow sewer project consisting of an approximately 3,600 linear foot combined relief sewer and a permanent diversion structure in Detroit’s southernmost neighborhoods (Boynton and Oakwood Heights).

• Charter County of Wayne for $2,922,300. For approximately 21,000 linear feet of sewer rehabilitation of existing large diameter pipe from Beech Daly Road to Telegraph Road and from Warrendale Drive to Outer Drive. Red Run Sewer is an estimated 1,040 lineal feet of sanitary sewer pipe relocation. Includes asset management inspection of an estimated 200,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer pipe along the Middle and Lower Rouge interceptors.

• City of Sault Ste. Marie for $17,512,500. This project consists of disconnection of storm and sanitary sewer lines in the Peck and Meridian streets service area. Approximately 3,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer will be replaced, and sections of existing storm sewer would be reutilized. New storm sewers will be installed in areas without existing sewers. The city will also complete wastewater treatment plant improvements including replacement of influent pumping and screening system equipment; upgrades to grit removal system and scum handling concentration tank; replacement of chemical storage and feed system; replacement of secondary clarifier mechanisms, rotating biological contactor components, and various pumps; installation of new sodium hypochlorite disinfection system and chlorine contact tank; and complete Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System, electrical distribution system, and other upgrades.

• City of Flint for $20,000,000. This project involves the Avon Pump Station demolition, Third Avenue Pump Station force main upgrades, and electrical improvements.

Grants through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund:

• Oakland County/City of Pontiac for $18,704,420. Approximately 28,600 linear feet of water main will be replaced and rehabilitated in the Indian Village and Ottawa Hills neighborhoods. Additionally, approximately 266 lead service lines will be replaced, primarily in the Fairview neighborhood.

• City of St. Louis for $16,825,000. The project consists of water main, lead service line, and valve replacement in various locations throughout the city. Watermain work consists of replacing 21,500 feet of existing water mains with larger, 8-inch and 12-inch ductile iron pipe. An additional 1,400 feet of water main will be constructed to loop dead-end water mains. A total of 12 lead service lines and 10 valves will be replaced throughout the city.

• City of Eastpointe for $8,624,750. The project is for replacement of approximately 28,000 feet of water main and approximately 132 lead service lines alongside the proposed water main replacement.

• City of Marine City for $11,363,586. The project includes replacement of approximately 210 lead services lines and 27,750 feet of water main, as well as looping of approximately 10,150 feet of water main. Improvements will be made to the water treatment plant, source water intake pipe, and storage tower.

• City of Bessemer for $1,940,000. The project consists of replacement of approximately 2,920 feet of water main pipe and installation of a new steel storage tank. Approximately 2,006 feet of transmission main will be installed for the new storage tank.

• County of Marquette/K.I. Sawyer for $3,367,500. This project consists of watermain and lead service line replacement, tank upgrades, and wellhouse improvements.

• City of Ithaca for $1,228,458. This project includes the replacement of approximately 5,900 feet of water main, the extension of the existing water main on Barnes Street to complete loops to Center Street and North Street, and replacement of lead service lines.

• City of Kalamazoo for $2,325,057. This project includes water main replacement, lining, and lead service line replacement.

• City of Springfield for $3,533,250. The project includes approximately 16,000 feet of water main replacement, looping, lead service line replacement, and three pressure reducing valves. Additionally, there is minor sewer work in conjunction with replacement of a water main that runs through an existing sanitary sewer manhole.

• South Haven Area Water-Sewer Authority for $9,158,291. The project includes the construction of a new elevated storage tank, booster station, water main replacement, and the replacement of approximately 2,100 lead service lines. The existing standpipe and booster station will be decommissioned once construction is complete.

• City of Croswell for $3,118,400. This project includes replacement of water main pipe and installation of water main looping to remove dead ends. The project includes completing an estimated 213 lead service line replacements and installing a water storage tower mixer system.

• City of Muskegon for $539,000. This project includes replacement of approximately 1,315 public and private lead and galvanized water service lines throughout the Oakview and Sheldon Park neighborhoods. Muskegon is also completing recommended repairs and improvements to the elevated storage tank. 

• Village of Breckenridge for $1,395,540. This project includes replacement of water main pipe and installation of water main looping to remove dead ends. The project also includes water storage tank rehabilitation including installing a mixing system and a new screen, replacement of approximately 100 water meters and six lead service lines, water treatment plant building rehabilitation including installing a new roof, insulation, and steel siding, installation of a new bulk brine tank, replacing approximately six inoperable valves, drilling a new drinking water supply well, installing a new well pump, installing a supervisory control and data acquisition system, and abandoning Well No. 3.

• City of Alma for $5,157,900. This project includes replacement of water main and looping to remove dead ends. The project also consists of water storage tank rehabilitation, installing a check valve, replacing the 30-inch diameter wet interior roof hatch, abrasive blast cleaning the tank exterior and repainting, and various interior infrastructure improvements and safety upgrades. The project also consists of replacing the existing water storage tower control building with a similarly sized building consisting of a split-faced masonry structure on top of a concrete slab and replacement of approximately 2,695 water meters and 112 lead service lines.

• Village of Hesperia for $14,680,950. The project includes construction of a new water treatment plant, improvements to two well houses including the installation of a water main to connect them, demolition of Well House 3, and the abandonment and replacement of Well 3 at a new site. Also included is replacement of approximately 15,000 linear feet of water main, replacement of approximately 386 public and private side lead and galvanized water service lines, replacement of outdated water meters, and completing repairs and improvements to the elevated storage tank.

• Village of Pentwater for $1,853,000. This project includes the construction of a new municipal well house, including a new municipal well pump, piping, chemical feed system, and related components. This includes construction of approximately 650 linear feet of transmission main under Pentwater channel. Additionally, this project will include replacing and adding approximately 10,350 linear feet of water main and replacing approximately 200 public and private lead and galvanized water service lines throughout the village.

• City of Albion for $7,131,512. The project includes the construction of a new one-million-gallon elevated water storage tank, replacement of approximately 19,800 linear feet of water main, and replacement of lead and brass service lines. Existing pumps, valves, and filters will be replaced at the water treatment plant as well as upgrades, laboratory space, building rehab, and installation of flow meters.

• City of Mount Clemens for $7,149,520. The project connects the City of Mount Clemens’ drinking water system to the regional GLWA drinking water system as well as the replacement of lead service lines. Mount Clemens’ existing water filtration plant (WFP) and water intake will be abandoned, decommissioned from use, and demolished along with the abandonment of water mains. Mount Clemens will replace approximately 44 lead service lines located south of Cass Avenue.

• Village of Capac for $4,131,500. The project includes replacement of approximately 768 lead service lines and 100 mainline valves and water meters along with approximately 16,000 feet of water main replacement and looping. Improvements to the elevated storage tank and arsenic removal plant as well as constructing a replacement well and conducting well house improvements is part of the project.

• City of Corunna for $7,046,955. The project consists of improvements to the M-71 booster station, construction of an elevated storage tank, replacement and upsizing of the Shiawassee Street transmission main, water main replacement and associated lead service line replacements, water main looping, and the construction of the Caledonia Connection booster pump station are part of the project.

• City of Dearborn Heights for $10,373,000. The project consists of replacement of approximately 16,000 linear feet of water main along Warren Road, Pennie Street, Gulley Road, Berwyn Road, and Jackson Street. Additionally, replacement of approximately 22,100 water meters and 1,750 lead service lines will take place throughout the city.

• City of Kingsford for $3,658,706. The project consists of replacement of approximately 23,000 linear feet of water main pipe, installation of two water main looping locations, and replacement of approximately 335 lead and galvanized water service lines on public and private property in the Heights and Ford Addition neighborhoods.

• Charter Township of Oscoda for $1,565,065. This project will remove and replace old, undersized water main, complete water main loops for reliability, and remove and replace hydrants on the former Air Force Base subject to cross-contamination from PFAS substances.

• City of Newaygo for $689,500. Replacement of approximately 250 public and private side lead and galvanized water service lines throughout the city. The project also includes replacing approximately 2,000 linear feet of water main located on Wood Street, including corresponding hydrants, valves, and taps.

• City of Jackson for $2,772,500. This project includes the replacement of approximately 6,369 linear feet of water main and the replacement of associated lead service lines.

• Township of Standish for $2,332,500. This project consists of a water main extension from City of Pinconning Water Treatment Plant to the Whites Beach area of Standish Township.

• City of Reed City for $3,787,920. This project includes the demolition, abandonment, and replacement of two water wells. This includes consolidation of the White Birch Estates mobile home park to the municipal system and the abandonment of their onsite wells. Additionally, this project includes replacing approximately 8,500 linear feet of water main, replacing approximately 170 public and private side lead and galvanized water service lines, installing new water meters throughout the city, and making repairs and improvements to the elevated storage tank on 225th Avenue.

• City of Wakefield for $4,000. This project consists of replacement of 40 lead or galvanized service lines.

• City of Ishpeming for $9,896,800. This project consists of water main replacement, lead service line replacement, and water tank security.

• Bessemer Township for $5,000 for replacement of approximately 35 lead drinking water service lines.

Technical, Managerial, and Financial grants:

Eight water systems received grants for work in identifying or verifying lead service lines in preparation for replacement. The process to accomplish this effort includes hydrovacing on either side of each curb stop and performing in-building investigation to document service line materials. These projects include restoration to original condition of hydrovaced locations. Hydrovacing involves a piece of equipment using high-pressure water to cut and liquefy the soil, while simultaneously using a high-volume vacuum to remove the soil from the excavation.

Recipients and their respective amounts:

• City of Clio: $193,004
• City of Wakefield: $338,690
• City of Owosso: $600,000
• Village of Freeport: $39,500
• City of Three Rivers: $600,000
• City of Algonac: $159,400
• City of Hancock: $584,885
• Village of Breckenridge: $122,200
• City of East Lansing: $600,000
• Village of Thompsonville: $28,776
• City of Iron Mountain: $595,604
• City of Menominee: $204,790
• City of Bay City: $26,874
• Charter Township of Royal Oak: $354,280
• Village of Central Lake: $311,150

Click on the links for more information about the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the Technical, Managerial and Financial grants, and EGLE’s Grants and Loans Dashboard.

Register for EGLE’s Great Lakes Drinking Water Conference, September 25-26 in Novi.

—————————————————————————————————————————

What they are saying

State legislators praise water infrastructure support for Michigan communities 

• State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph): “These grants will greatly help provide necessary upgrades to our community’s water infrastructure and ensure every household has access to clean drinking water while reducing its cost. Access to safe drinking water is a human right, and this is a step in the right direction to make sure our infrastructure remains up to date to provide this essential resource to our residents.”

• State Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette):  “These grants are vital to the Upper Peninsula and will ensure we can fix aging infrastructure and secure clean, safe water for generations to come. These critical upgrades will not only improve public health and safety, but they will also support long-term economic growth in our region. I’m grateful to see these much-needed funds invested in the central U.P.”

• State Rep. Will Snyder (D-Muskegon): “I’m thrilled to see these much-needed water infrastructure upgrades in our community. Water infrastructure is the backbone of our communities, and our residents deserve to know that they are receiving safe, clean drinking water. This project not only ensures quality water, but also brings down costs.”

• State Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe):  “Since 2020, the City of Eastpointe has prioritized its water quality and has already replaced 805 lead service lines. The grant received through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund will help the city continue its mission to ensure residents can access water that is both healthy and affordable.”

• State Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mt. Clemens):  “This upgrade of Mount Clemens’ water infrastructure is essential in ensuring our community will continue to receive safe, clean water for years to come. Mount Clemens residents have been forced to deal with rising costs for aging infrastructure for far too long, and I am thrilled to see these critical renovations being implemented. Investing in the health and well-being of our residents will always be my top priority.”

• State Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.): “To ensure safe, clean drinking water for its residents, the City of Jackson has been working proactively to replace all of its lead service lines. This grant will help Jackson continue its lead pipe replacement efforts. By investing in these infrastructure improvements now, the city is safeguarding the health and well-being of its residents for years to come.”

• State Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores): “Access to clean drinking water is not just a priority, it’s a necessity. “Securing this grant for the communities of Mount Clemens and Algonac is a critical first step towards ensuring every resident can count on the water coming out of their faucet at home being clean and safe for consumption. By modernizing outdated water systems, identifying old lead service lines, and connecting local communities to regional resources, this funding is helping to protect the health and well-being of our lakeshore district for generations to come.”