Senate Approves Massive Water Infrastructure Bill

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water3-38

The Michigan Senate this week unanimously approved $3.3 billion in water infrastructure spending to replace lead pipes and repair dams statewide while also sending money to a Detroit-area system that has struggled with flooding. State Senator Aric Nesbitt tells WSJM News the plan includes $1 billion to replace lead water lines in cities that include Benton Harbor.

“In the current budget, I believe Senator LaSata got $10 million in  the current budget for Benton Harbor,” Nesbitt said. “But this is something where there are still lead lines throughout the state. So on the lead lines, with $1 billion, Benton Harbor is going to be a part of that along with municipalities across the state. We need to make sure every lead line in the state of Michigan is replaced, and this is part of our plan to do it.”

The influx of aid will next be considered by the House, likely in the new year. Nesbitt says it includes about $2.4 billion in federal funding. Michigan has an estimated 460,000 lead pipes. State regulations, made tougher following Flint’s water crisis, generally require that every line be replaced by around 2040.