CADILLAC — The City of Cadillac said it has been awarded an $8.2 million Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy grant and notified of a future $1.46 million federal grant to expand access to its municipal water system for residents now using private wells.
Per two Jan. 12 news releases from City Manager Marcus Peccia, the $8.2 million grant, awarded through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities program, will fully support Cadillac’s PFAS Management Plan, the city said.
Peccia said the funding would allow the city to move from planning to construction and extend clean, reliable municipal water.
“This grant is another significant achievement in the City’s efforts to get a PFAS free water solution to anyone in the City still on a private well,” Peccia said.
Under the state grant project, the city said Phase 1 would connect about 170 households, including via a water main extension along Marathon Drive, and Phase 2 would provide service to about 70 additional homes through a water main extension where municipal water is not currently available.
The city said grant funding was also planned to cover installation of private service lines from properties to the water main and proper closure and abandonment of private wells after properties are connected to the city water system.
Cadillac’s public water system continues to meet federal and state drinking water standards, including those for PFAS, and routine testing has not detected PFAS in the system, the city said.
Separately, the city said it was notified by Congressman Moolenaar of a future grant award of $1.46 million to fund a water distribution project intended to build out the PFAS-free Cadillac water system and connect people within the city who are still on private wells. The city pointed residents to the congressman’s press release here.
Peccia said the federal grant, combined with the state funding, would allow the city to connect all properties on private wells within the city, including water lines from the property to the water main and closure of private wells at no cost.
“This is really exciting and, frankly, unexpected news, received from the congressman himself,” Peccia said. “We’re estimating to be able to extend the water system to cover everyone within the city that’s on a private well.
“Plus, we really hope that this is also going to be enough to cover. Now, those folks that have property immediately adjacent to this city that are on private wells.”
The city also said it anticipated adequate funding to connect properties immediately adjacent to the city that are on private wells, such as Mary Street in Haring Township, at no cost and without requiring annexation or other land transfers.
For properties outside the city, the city said those properties would need to become customers of the city and an intergovernmental agreement between the city and township or townships would need to be put in place to allow the city’s water infrastructure into township territory.
The city said next steps for both grants depend on authorizations and agreements still pending.
For the state grant, the city said EGLE was awaiting Michigan legislative authorization to spend the funds and could not enter into a grant agreement with the city until that authorization is provided.
Construction was anticipated to begin in 2026, with substantial completion expected in late 2027, pending legislative approval, the city said.
For the federal grant, the city said it was waiting for the federal government to provide the terms and grant agreement form before it could move the project forward.
Additionally, $3 million to Charter Township of Grayling to advance a municipal water service project critical to PFAS-impacted residents near the Grayling Army Airfield.
The city said the federal grant effort included assistance from outside the city organization and cited support from Congressman Moolenaar and others, including Matt Schichtel, Arthur Stevens, Bill Tencza and Brian Warner.
RELATED STORIES
- Cadillac secures $8.2M grant for PFAS mitigation and water safety
- Cadillac city officials address misinformation surrounding PFAS contamination
- Cadillac area secures state funding for infrastructure upgrades, but some requests unmet
- Cadillac Superfund site cleanup efforts face recent interruptions
- City of Cadillac responds to EPA’s 5-year review of Superfund site clean-up
- Cadillac Area Public Schools confirms CASA field water safe for restrooms, handwashing
- Cadillac area secures state funding for infrastructure upgrades, but some requests unmet
- Cadillac City Council meets after mayor’s sudden resignation, contentious issues discussed
- Cadillac City Council meetings canceled because of ‘credible death threats’
- Dozens speak out at Cadillac City Council meeting over several controversial issues