Michigan needs billions to save its water infrastructure. The state won't fund it

Over the next two decades, Michigan needs to invest $2.8 billion annually to repair its water infrastructure and spend an additional $860 million per year to cover ongoing costs. The true price is likely even higher: no studies have been done on the condition of wells that about a million households rely on for water. Michigan has historically invested $1.14 billion per year in water infrastructure.

The report released by the University of Michigan Water Center and Public Sector Consultants found that Michigan’s gray infrastructure alone — drinking water, wastewater and lead service lines — needs about $27.3 billion over the next 20 years for repairs. Other expenses, such as stormwater infrastructure and dam repairs, brings the total money needed for repairs to $39.6 billion over the next two decades.

“Demand for improvements is broad and bipartisan. For the FY 2027 budget, 78 of 148 legislators, from both parties and representing 42 of 83 counties, requested about $1.02 billion for 125 local water projects. Water system needs were the top requested item from local governments. The final budget funded $27.9 million, less than 3% of the amount requested,” and less than 1% of the amount the study claims is needed, Davenport reports.