Michigan’s Water Infrastructure Acquires Much-Needed Funding
The Michigan legislature is moving forward with a package of historic, bipartisan legislation. Sponsored by state Sens. Rick Outman and Paul Wojno, as well as state Reps. Jim Lilly and Kevin Hertel, the $500 million investment will rebuild the state’s water infrastructure without raising taxes.
Known as the MI Clean Water plan, the initiative will also provide 7,500 jobs and, eventually, clean drinking water to underserved communities in Michigan, where residents are surrounded by 21% of the world’s fresh surface water, but are often unable to trust lead-laden service lines, undersized sewers, toxic contamination and other constraints to this natural boon.
The plan includes $207 million in investments directly related to clean drinking water and $293 million in investments related to wastewater management—both drastically necessary according to the Michigan 21st Century Infrastructure report, which revealed an estimated $800 million annual gap in water and sewer infrastructure needs.
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