Flint Receives Federal Funds For Approved Water Quality Projects
By Peak Johnson
The city of Flint, MI, will have to work a little harder to spend money that was awarded to it by the U.S. EPA.
In a letter dated March 17, the agency’s acting regional administrator, Robert Kaplan, said that in order to spend the $100 million in federal funds awarded to it, Flint must provide updated plans that detail suggested work in the city’s water plant, in addition to other requirements.
According to MLive.com, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the grant and $20 million in matching state funds after Congress approved and President Obama awarded the $100 million last year.
But the funds are allotted for approved projects only.
"Thus, this conditional award authorizes MDEQ [the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality] to make funds immediately available only for the three approved projects," Kaplan’s letter read.
The approved projects include “service line replacements, distribution system and water main improvements, and corrosion control studies and an asset management plan,” per MLive.com.
Flint had budgeted $40 million for service line replacement in its spending plan, another $10 million for distribution system and transmission main improvements, $58.5 million for water treatment plant improvements, and $10 million for meter replacements.
According to The Detroit News, Mayor Karen Weaver said that Flint “is grateful to receive the ‘much-needed’ funds, as it aims to replace 6,000 pipes this year, among other upgrades.”
“The city of Flint being awarded a grant of this magnitude in such a critical time of need will be a huge benefit,” Weaver said.
Pruitt said that the agency would “especially focus on helping Michigan improve Flint’s water infrastructure as part of its larger goal of improving America’s water infrastructure.”
The state will manage the aid through the Drinking Water Revolving Fund.
“I appreciate the EPA approving this funding to assist with Flint’s recovery,” Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement. “Combined with the nearly $250 million in state funding already allocated, this will help keep Flint on a solid path forward. It’s great to see federal, state and local partners continuing to work together to help with infrastructure upgrades and pipe replacements for the people of Flint.”