EGLE rolls out Filter First program targeting clean drinking water in schools

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced plans to implement new protections against lead in school drinking water under the Filter First legislation passed by the state legislature and signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer last October.

Building on the success of Michigan’s strictest-in-the-nation Lead and Copper Rule aimed at eliminating lead in public water supplies, the bipartisan legislation directs $50 million in funding and other resources to support the installation of lead-reducing water stations at schools and child care centers throughout the state.

Collectively known as Filter First, the Clean Drinking Water Access Act (2023 PA 154) and amendments to the Child Care Organizations Act (1973 PA 116) create the first-of-its-kind legislation specifically designed to protect children from exposure to lead in drinking water in schools and child care centers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that no safe blood lead level has been identified in children. To promote a child’s healthy development, all exposure to lead should be prevented.

“Every parent wants to make sure their children are safe, and the Filter First bills will protect access to clean drinking water at school,” said Governor Whitmer. “In Michigan, we know how important it is to protect our kids at school. With Filter First, we are taking action so all our kids have access to safe drinking water so they can focus on learning in class. We have also delivered free breakfast and lunch, invested in mental health, and improved school safety. To protect access to safe drinking water across Michigan, we worked together to enforce the strongest lead and copper rule in the country, made record, bipartisan investments to fix our water infrastructure, and helped communities replace thousands of lead service lines.”

Under the new state legislation, schools must develop a drinking water management plan (DWMP), install lead-reducing filters on all drinking water fixtures, and test filtered water annually. Child care centers must follow the same protocols and test their water every two years.

Funding administered by EGLE will be available for the one-time acquisition and installation of filtered bottle filling stations, water coolers, point of use faucet filters, and certain maintenance and sampling costs until the is funding exhausted.

EGLE is working with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) to provide schools and child care centers with a DWMP template and guidance on filters by April of 2024. This will give schools the necessary time to implement the program before the Filter First legislation goes into effect. Schools and child care centers are expected to complete DWMPs by Jan. 24, 2025, and have approved filters on all drinking water sources by the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

EGLE this week launched the Filter First web page containing more information about the program for school and child care administrators. EGLE and MiLEAP are also planning to host a training webinar on Filter First April 10, 2024, and will post guidance documents and a DWMP template for a 30-day public comment period by April 24, 2024.

The Filter First initiative builds on EGLE’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that children have access to healthy water. Although water entering schools and child care facilities is required to meet the same federal and state drinking water quality standards as homes, intermittent water use patterns can create more challenges due to water stagnation that could allow contaminants such as bacteria, lead, and copper to get into the water. The EGLE School Drinking Water Program was created to provide guidance and tools for all school and child care facilities regarding communication, free plumbing assessments, water management plans, sampling plans, sample collection, interpretation of results, risk reduction actions, and water moving programs for school personnel.

Additional information about Michigan’s strictest-in-the-nation lead testing requirements and strategies to reduce lead exposures in the home can be found on the state’s Mi Lead Safe web site.

EGLE announces $67.1 million in MI Clean Water grants to help Michigan communities upgrade water infrastructure, protect health and the environment

Reducing sewage overflows into Lake St. Clair and replacing hazardous lead drinking water service lines in multiple communities are some of the goals of more than $67 million in state grants recently awarded to Michigan communities.

The MI Clean Water Plan grants through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and support from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aim to help communities upgrade aging infrastructure, ensure healthy drinking water, and protect Michigan’s environment.

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 stormwater facilities and emerging challenges like new standards for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Legislature, and federal agencies have ramped up funding for aging water infrastructure – a critical move to help ensure those water systems continue to protect public health and the environment, including Michigan’s unmatched freshwater resources.

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

Recent grants through the DWSRF: 

• City of West Branch for $18,000,000:  This project includes the replacement of old, undersized, and failing watermains, watermain looping, construction of a new water tower, improvements to an existing well, and the replacement of a master meter connection in the City of West Branch.
• Detroit Water and Sewerage Department for $17,510,000:  This project includes replacing and rehabilitating approximately 31,912 linear feet of vintage cast iron water main of pipe size 6-inches through 12-inches in diameter in the City of Detroit. Neighborhoods included in this project are Dexter-Linwood, Davison, and Buffalo-Charles. Approximately 475 lead service lines will be replaced as a part of the project.
• City of White Cloud for $4,065,000:  This project includes the verification of approximately 200 service line materials and the removal and replacement of an estimated 420 lead and galvanized service lines throughout the City of White Cloud.

Earmarks through Federal American Rescue Plan Act: 

• City of Lincoln Park for $2,500,000:  This project involves the replacement of approximately 300 lead water service lines in the City of Lincoln Park. All lead service lines will be replaced with copper.
• Delta Charter Township for $10,000,000.  This project will construct a parallel force main from the West Willow Lift Station in the West Willow Sewer district in Delta Charter Township. Additionally, the project will include improvements to the West Willow Lift Station to accommodate the additional force main. The project will increase capacity in the sewer district and provide needed reliability.
• City of Hamtramck for $10,000,000:  This project involves watermain and lead service line replacement in the City of Hamtramck. A total of 10,825 linear feet of watermain will be replaced in Hamtramck including 252 lead service lines.  Additionally, approximately 284 lead service lines will be replaced throughout Hamtramck’s distribution system.
• Macomb County for $5,000,000:  This grant will be specifically used for the construction of approximately 3,571 linear feet of 60-inch sewer main.  This sewer interceptor project will reduce combined sewer overflows into Lake St. Clair by conveying combined sewage to the Chapaton Retention Basin for additional system storage during wet weather events. This will also reduce combined sewer overflows from the Chapaton and Martin Retention Treatment Basins into Lake St. Clair.

 Descriptions of funding sources

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: Low-interest loan program to help public water systems finance the costs of replacement and repair of drinking water infrastructure to protect public health and achieve or maintain compliance with federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The DWSRF provides loans to water systems for eligible infrastructure projects. As water systems repay their loans, the repayments and interest flow back into the DWSRF to support new loans. ARPA funding operates as a grant and may be used in combination with loan dollars to reduce the financial burden on communities to pay for capital improvement debt. ARPA funded grants awarded this fiscal year: $218,398,719.

Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF): Used by local municipalities to finance construction of water pollution control projects. These projects include wastewater treatment plant upgrades and expansions, combined or sanitary sewer overflow abatement, new sewers designed to reduce existing sources of pollution, and other publicly owned wastewater treatment efforts that improve water quality. The CWSRF can also finance stormwater infrastructure projects to reduce nonpoint sources of water pollution caused by things like agricultural runoff to lakes, streams, and wetlands. As with the DWSRF, ARPA funds can be used in conjunction with CWSRF loan dollars, thereby reducing the debt communities pay for infrastructure improvements. ARPA-funded grants awarded this fiscal year: $137,982,009.

Drinking Water Asset Management Program: Provides grant funding to assist drinking water suppliers with asset management plan development and updates, and/or distribution system materials inventories as defined in Michigan’s revised Lead and Copper Rule. Awarded this fiscal year: $19,695,817.

Consolidation and Contamination Risk Reduction Program: Established to aid drinking water systems to help remove or reduce PFAS or other contaminants. Awarded this fiscal year: $20,336,215.

Substantial Public Health Risk Project Program: Protects public and environmental health by removing direct and continuous discharges of wastewater from surface or groundwater. Awarded this fiscal year: $8,000,000.

Additional Background

• Since January 2019 the State of Michigan has invested over $4 billion to upgrade drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater facilities across the state, supporting over 57,000 jobs.
• In 2022, Governor Whitmer signed a package of bills to help communities access funding for water infrastructure.

EGLE grant opportunity targets drinking water affordability, planning with focus on low-income households

Helping Michigan communities upgrade water infrastructure and keep drinking water rates affordable – particularly for low-income households – is the goal of a grant opportunity announced by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

Applications are due February 19, 2024, for $5.7 million in funding through the MI Clean Water Plan, which provides support improving drinking water quality and affordability.

“Ensuring healthy drinking water for all Michiganders requires a team effort because going it alone is not an option in some communities when it comes to removing lead pipes, replacing aging mains, and upgrading other backlogged water infrastructure,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “This is why we’re continuing to find ways to assist cities, towns, and villages, with a specific focus on the needs of underserved low-income communities.”

The State of Michigan has invested more than $4 billion since 2019 through the MI Clean Water Plan to upgrade local water systems.

Recipients can include Michigan water supplies, counties, townships, villages, and others. Applicants are required to complete the Affordability and Planning Grants Application (EQP1063) and attach a Project Workplan and Project Cost Detail. Applications and Plans shall be submitted to EGLE-CentralGrants@Michigan.gov.

There is no local funding match required for the grants, which are funded through Michigan’s general fund. Grant funding is restricted to activities that improve consumer affordability and/or drinking water quality. Eligibility will be project specific and determined on a case-by-case basis by EGLE pursuant to the scoring criteria included within the proposal. Eligible activities under the grant may include:

• Develop and implement an income-based water rate structure.
• Pursue and implement water system regionalization, collaboration, or consolidation efforts that improve water quality and/or affordability for residents. Efforts could include:
  • Planning costs related to water systems joining together in regional authority
  • Planning costs related to water systems connecting to other water systems
  • Water systems developing collaborative agreements to share services, equipment, bulk purchasing, and other operational costs
• Conduct drinking water distribution system leak detection studies and develop plans for resolving leaks in water systems that purchase water from another source.
• Develop or update project planning (e.g., engineering, design, and legal) or application documents needed to better position projects for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) funding.
• Planning costs to construct sewer laterals to connect low-income households* with failing septic systems to available public sewer.
• Planning costs to construct service lines to connect low-income households* with failing or contaminated private wells to available community water system.

*A low-income household is defined as less than 200 percent of federal poverty level. Individual households must be verified by the municipality.

Details about eligibility, the application process, and other information is available at the Affordability and Planning Grant webpage.

Seeking next generation of climate leaders to join the first cohort of the Michigan Healthy Climate Corps Program!

Apply by Jan. 21 to start your career as a climate professional and help accelerate climate action in Michigan

Note: This corrected version of a Jan. 8 release fixes an incorrectly reported stipend amount for MI Healthy Climate Corps members. The correct monthly stipend amount of $3,000 adds up to $24,000 for eight months.

Are you or someone you know interested in supporting climate action and exploring a future in Michigan’s growing climate and clean energy economy? The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Office of Climate and Energy (OCE) is excited to announce the job openings for the state’s first ever MI Healthy Climate (MHC) Corps for 2024!

The MHC Corps will field a cohort of 30 AmeriCorps members who will provide critical support to communities tackling climate change starting in March 2024. These AmeriCorps members will work to advance the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan (MHCP) through implementation of targeted climate action projects in state agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, universities, and businesses in Michigan. The MHC Corps is a new effort aimed at developing an enduring, capable network of climate professionals committed to their communities and a sustainable future for Michigan.

“This is an exciting new chapter in Michigan’s effort to assist communities, businesses, and all Michiganders with the knowledge and tools necessary to fully engage with climate mitigation and resilience work,” said Phil Roos, EGLE director. “These leaders will be ‘boots on the ground’ to help really dig into the best strategies to help meet the state’s climate goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.”

The following organizations are recruiting a climate corps member:

Antrim Conservation District Calvin University City of Detroit City of East Lansing City of Eastpointe City of Kalamazoo City of Lansing City of River Rouge Clean Fuels Michigan Detroit 2030 District Detroit Future City East Bay Charter Township Everly Collective Lansing Board of Water and Light Let’s Grow Michigan Marquette County Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Public Lands Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Climate and Health Adaptation Program EGLE’s OCE Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Worker and Community Economic Transition Michigan Energy Options Michigan Saves Northeast Michigan Council of Governments Oakland County Regional Transit Authority of SE Michigan SEEDS Ecology and Education Center Spartan Housing Cooperative Superior Watershed Partnership Transportation Riders United Village of Elk Rapids West Michigan Environmental Action Council Washtenaw County

Projects will be tailored to the organization and community in which the MHC Corps member serves. Examples of potential projects include:

• Connecting residents to clean energy or energy efficiency programs and funding opportunities,
• Supporting your community in accessing clean public transit and bicycle friendly infrastructure,
• Activating recycling or composting programs in your community,
• Researching and assessing opportunities to advance environmental justice, and
• Developing plans for climate resiliency and implementing adaptation measures in your community.

As a member of the MHC Corps, in addition to providing capacity to support climate action, you will:

• Receive a $24,000 stipend for the program’s initial eight-month term and travel, lodging, and meal support for select in person events.
• Receive an education award to use towards loans or future education expenses.
• Receive healthcare benefits, including dental, vision, and mental health supports.
• Become eligible for AmeriCorps child care assistance.
• Be granted free admission to EGLE’s annual MI Healthy Climate Conference.
• Participate in fellowship building and receive trainings and professional development opportunities.

We encourage all those who are interested to apply, especially individuals from historically underserved communities and those on the frontline of climate impacts. Individuals must be 18 years old to serve; no degree or formal work experience is required. The start date is March 18, 2024, and the service term runs through November 15, 2024.

Applications are due January 21, 2024.

For more information and to apply, visit MiHealthyClimateCorps.org/become-a-member.

A second cohort is planned to begin an 11-month term starting in September 2024. In future years, the MHC Corps will expand to offer additional opportunities throughout the state.

Additional background on the MI Healthy Climate Corps: The MHC Corps is a new workforce program focused on advancing and reaching MI Healthy Climate Plan goals, building capacity in communities across the state, and helping guide federal and state resources. The MHC Corps was launched by EGLE’s OCE in partnership with the Michigan Community Service Commission and the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan. The MHC Corps kicked off in August 2023 with support from the Fiscal Year 2024 budget that included $2.1 million in federal and state funding over two years to support the MHC Corps.