What lies beneath: Eaton Rapids is rebuilding its water system with assistance from state funds

Deb Malewski
Contributing Writer

(Deb Malewski/FAN – Rob Pierce, Eaton Rapids’ Public Works and Utilities Director, has been with the city since 2019 and is in favor of being proactive when dealing with infrastructure issues.)

For many residents, the Michigan Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, better known as the DWSRF, is one of those massive government programs that remains largely invisible until orange barrels, construction crews, and torn-up streets suddenly appear outside their front door. In Eaton Rapids, that work is happening right now.

The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, commonly known as EGLE, and is funded through a combination of federal Environmental Protection Agency dollars and matching state funds. Communities like Eaton Rapids compete for low-interest loans to help finance major drinking water infrastructure improvements, including water mains, treatment systems, and lead service line replacement projects.

When deciding which communities receive funding, the state prioritizes projects tied to public health and safety concerns, particularly deteriorating infrastructure and the replacement of lead service lines. In the years following the Flint water crisis, reducing lead exposure became one of the program’s highest priorities, prompting many Michigan communities to accelerate upgrades to aging water systems.

The fund’s name reflects how the financing works. As communities repay their loans, the money “revolves” back into the program to help finance future water infrastructure projects across Michigan.

The Eaton Rapids project, which was the subject of a public meeting in May 11, focuses on lead line replacement, corrosion control, and long-term infrastructure investment. The overall project is expected to be completed by late November 2028. Sewer extension work will begin after the school year ends and is expected to last approximately one month. Because the project is funded through the state program, portions of the construction schedule are determined by the state rather than the city.

According to the city “Impacts of the proposed project will likely include temporary water interruptions and traffic disruption.” Some mailboxes, trees and other objects might need to be removed or relocated.

Rob Pierce, Eaton Rapids’ Public Works and Utilities Director since 2019, has been one of the driving forces behind the massive undertaking. A lifelong Eaton Rapids resident, Pierce brings both professional experience and a personal investment in the community to the project.

“We need to be proactive and not kick the can down the road on these long-overdue issues,” Pierce said.

Pierce also noted that DWSRF funding opportunities are becoming increasingly limited, making it critical for the city to pursue available funding while it still can.

“When the city manager brought this project to City Council in 2024, we recognized it as a rare opportunity to upgrade a significant amount of aging infrastructure and didn’t hesitate to apply,” said Eaton Rapids Mayor Pam Colestock. “At the same time, we also had to make difficult decisions regarding water and sewer rates.”

“Those decisions are never popular, but our utility funds must remain self-sustaining to pay for necessary repairs and long-term improvements,” Colestock said. “A project of this size required a rate adjustment.”

With little choice but to raise water rates to help fund the work, and rather than raising rates all at once, the city chose to phase the increases in gradually over three years. Residents can expect to see water rates increase by as much as 65% over time.

“These improvements will serve the community for generations and help ensure a safer, more reliable water system for the future,” Colestock added.

Among the project’s major goals is the removal of remaining lead service lines and the replacement of older 4-inch water mains with new 8-inch lines. The larger pipes will improve water pressure for residents while also expanding the system’s capacity to support future growth and development throughout the city.

Another issue being addressed involves sections of the water system known as “dead-end” lines. Because water does not continuously circulate through these lines, it can stagnate over time. To maintain water quality, city crews currently flush those sections of the system twice each year. By improving and reconnecting portions of the network, the city hopes to reduce those maintenance issues while creating better water flow throughout the system.

The project also includes replacing water treatment filters that have been in service for roughly 30 years, although they were refurbished in 2006. These large filtration units are critical to the operation of the water plant and cannot simply be replaced overnight if one fails. New filters can take nearly a year to manufacture and deliver, making proactive replacement far safer and more practical than waiting for a breakdown.

Will this be the final major water infrastructure project needed in Eaton Rapids?

“Probably not,” Pierce said. “But we will keep improving what we can, as we can afford it.”