Drinking Water Asset Management Grants Available Through Michigan EGLE
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) recently announced a drinking water investments program that is aimed at distributing more than $207 million in appropriated funds to communities with the objective to improve drinking water infrastructure.
The EGLE developed this program to protect citizens, especially children, by creating an application process for communities to apply for grant funding that would remove lead service lines in otherwise underfunded communities, help communities develop asset management programs for their drinking water infrastructure, and assist communities that are struggling with PFAS contamination by funding infrastructure improvements. These major water infrastructure investments can support communities and workers across Michigan in recovering from the economic crisis and building resilient futures.
Of the $207 million allocated for drinking water infrastructure grants, $37.5 million is set aside specifically for a Drinking Water Asset Management (DWAM) grant. This grant is to assist communities with developing or improving community’s asset management plans for their drinking water systems and infrastructure. Additionally, communities can use the program to assist in developing an inventory of their final distribution service material, which is required to be completed by all public water supply systems by 2025. $15 million of the program’s allotted money will be set aside and made available for communities that serve a population of 10,000 people or less.
Spicer Group is uniquely qualified to assist communities with applying for these grant opportunities. We have a long history of assisting many communities with the planning, design, and construction of their water distribution system. We have engineers who focus primarily on water distribution and treatment infrastructure and who are experienced and familiar with all regulating agencies.
Spicer Group has developed asset management plans for vital infrastructure like drinking water services and sanitary sewer systems. An asset management plan is a formal, tactical procedure that is used to manage infrastructure assets to deliver a maximum level of service to customers. They include five core components: an inventory and condition assessment of the assets; a determination of the level of service the community would like to provide; a determination of the criticality of the asset; a revenue structure; and a capital improvement project plan.
Our diverse and professional team of engineers, surveyors, and planners can all assist with developing an asset management plan needed to help maintain and improve our clients’ infrastructures. An asset management plan can then guide communities in maintaining or improving their drinking water infrastructure and complying with all state and federally required codes and permitting.
The first round of applications for the EGLE’s DWAM grant are due January 1, 2021. If funding allows, the next round of applications will be due in April 2021. Applicants will be scored and ranked on numerous levels of criteria. Spicer Group’s knowledgeable team can assist communities with determining their level of scoring.
