State and local leaders highlight $32 million in state-funded drinking water infrastructure improvements in Lansing

EGLE hosts tour and roundtable highlighting infrastructure upgrades in Lansing that support clean water and healthy communities

Today, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) was joined by state and local leaders for a tour of the Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) Dye Water Conditioning Plant and a roundtable discussion to highlight the importance of investing in water infrastructure and the BWL’s leadership in ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water. 

In FY2023, the BWL received $32 million from EGLE’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, including $20 million in principal forgiveness to support major upgrades and replace water mains in two of Lansing’s combined sewer overflow subdistricts. That funding helped the BWL construct a new water tower, upgrade the drinking water treatment plant, drill new wells and replace aging infrastructure.

Once completed, the BWL’s water tower will improve service for customers by maintaining water pressure to support daily water use, reducing the risk of systemwide boil water advisories and decreasing operating costs by an estimated $80,000 annually. Additionally, the BWL plans to replace eight miles of water main every year for approximately the next 100 years. The project will support the delivery of more than 7 billion gallons of water annually.

“Access to safe drinking water isn’t just a right, it’s a necessity and it’s our responsibility to protect that right for every Michigander,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “Investing in water infrastructure strengthens our communities, safeguards public health and supports economic growth. These are investments in our future, laying the foundation for a more resilient, equitable Michigan.”

In a major public health milestone, the BWL became the second water utility in the nation to voluntarily replace all lead service lines, completing the effort in 2016 after beginning the project in 2004. In total, 12,150 active lead lines were replaced, underscoring the BWL’s commitment to providing safe, clean water to the communities it serves.

The BWL operates a regional water system that serves 208,909 retail and wholesale customers in Lansing, portions of Alaiedon Township, City of Dewitt, Dewitt Township, Bath Township, Delhi and Windsor Township. Wholesale service extends to the Lansing Township West Side Water, Delta Township and Meridian Township.

“Water infrastructure upgrades are one of the most important we can make for our customers,” said BWL General Manager Dick Peffley. “We greatly appreciate EGLE’s investment, which allows us to modernize and strengthen our system, ensuring we can continue providing safe, reliable and affordable water to our customers today and well into the future.”

Access to clean water is essential to Michigan’s environment, health and economy. It provides safe drinking water for families, supports agriculture, protects wildlife habitats and sustains industries and communities that rely on our waterways. Clean water also preserves the natural resources that define our Great Lakes State and fuel tourism, recreation and long-term economic resilience.

“Access to clean water is important in Lansing, and we are continuously looking at ways to improve our infrastructure to maintain that access for our residents, workers, and visitors,” said Lansing Mayor, Andy Schor. “Thanks to funding from EGLE, the City of Lansing is able to work closely with the Lansing Board of Water & Light to make crucial water infrastructure upgrades to preserve Lansing’s environment and provide clean water.”

Since January 2019, the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration has invested over $5.3 billion through the MI Clean Water Plan and other programs to upgrade drinking water, stormwater and wastewater systems statewide. These projects support more than 75,000 jobs.

“Everyone in Michigan deserves access to clean, safe drinking water, and I believe state government has a responsibility to protect that right for every community, in every corner of our state. That’s why I’m proud to celebrate the state’s $32 million investment in drinking water infrastructure in Greater Lansing—an investment that strengthens our homegrown municipal utility, the Lansing Board of Water & Light, and ensures safe, reliable, and affordable service for generations to come,” said Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing). “Across mid-Michigan and throughout the state, the need to repair and modernize aging water and sewer systems is growing. As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I’ve made it a priority to respond to this urgent need—in urban neighborhoods or rural townships—because no family should ever have to question the safety of the water coming from their tap.”

Lead line replacement, cleaning up contamination, increasing government transparency and strengthening the state’s energy infrastructure are a few of the priorities represented in the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget. EGLE’s portion of the proposed budget includes $30 million for water infrastructure, $50 million for lead service line replacement and more than $5 million for drinking water safeguards.

“Strengthening our state’s water infrastructure goes hand-in-hand with protecting public health,” said state Senator Sam Singh (D-Lansing). “I’m proud to have championed efforts to tackle Michigan’s water quality issues and deliver vital resources needed to replace lead service lines and support projects to upgrade the state’s aging infrastructure. I'm thrilled to see the impact of these investments play out in real-time across the state and right here in Lansing, as the Board of Water and Light carries out critical work to ensure our mid-Michigan communities can access the clean and safe drinking water they deserve.”

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) provides low-interest loans to help public water systems meet health and safety standards under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Since 2019, state DWSRFs have distributed more than $41.1 billion to support system upgrades, backed by over $21 billion in federal funding.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program (CWSRF) is a state-federal partnership that offers affordable financing for a wide range of water quality projects, including municipal wastewater treatment, stormwater management, septic system upgrades, green infrastructure and water reuse initiatives.

For more information on EGLE’s MI Clean Water Plan, visit Michigan.gov/MiCleanWaterPlan.