Cheboygan wastewater plant moves city forward as part of statewide water system upgrades

The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.

July 13, 2023

Cheboygan’s new wastewater treatment facility was lauded Thursday by local and state officials during an event marking completion of the upgraded plant – part of a statewide emphasis on providing financial and technical support to improve aging community water systems.

The Cheboygan plant upgrades replace 1970s-era technology and improve treatment processes that better protect Lake Huron, enhance public health safeguards, and reduce costs through state-assisted funding.

Cheboygan Director of Public Works Jason Karmol explains to local and state officials the workings of the wastewater treatment facility's new oxidation ditch. EGLE photo.

Funding for the $17.4 million facility was assisted through a low-interest loan with $5-million principal forgiveness through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Half of EGLE’s budget is typically returned to communities like Cheboygan in the form of grants and loans to address environmental and public health issues.

Chris Bauer, community and economic development manager with Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, noted that the plant upgrades join numerous infrastructure investments in the community.

“This is one of the biggest economic development projects we’ve seen in a while,” Bauer said.

The plant is among numerous water projects that Michigan communities can more easily fund and complete due to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s focus on water infrastructure and an influx of federal funding for system upgrades. The state and federal support aids communities in addressing deferred maintenance that threatens the integrity of many outdated drinking water and wastewater systems.

Since January 2019, Michigan has invested more than $4 billion to upgrade drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater facilities across the state, supporting thousands of jobs.

“Michigan is addressing systemic challenges in providing quality drinking water and curbing wastewater pollution statewide,” EGLE Deputy Director James Clift said. “The work going on across the state is a great start – a down payment on the critical investments necessary to ensure high-quality drinking water and wastewater management for future generations.”

Water system needs are substantial, not just in Michigan, but nationally. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates $625 billion will be needed for water infrastructure improvements nationally over the next 20 years. That is a 32% increase from their last assessment four years ago.

For more information on Michigan water infrastructure funding opportunities, visit the MI Clean Water Plan webpage. The MI Clean Water Plan expanded this week to include new funding opportunities that became available since the plan was launched by Governor Whitmer three years ago.

Media Contact:

Jeff Johnston

EGLE Public Information Officer

[email protected]

517-231-9304

Jason Karmol

Cheboygan Department of Public Works Director

[email protected]

Water main work in Southeast Michigan, sewage disposal improvements in Pontiac, and wastewater system upgrades in the Village of Prescott are among almost $31 million in Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) grants recently awarded to Michigan communities.

First mussel survey on the Plaster Creek finds mussel of ‘special concern.'

The State is helping fund improvements as part of a multiyear focus on water infrastructure needs.

The NotMISpecies webinar series offers a chance to hear from researchers on invasive species, climate change and human behavior.

Decarbonization efforts are ramping up in bustling northwest Lower Michigan.

The information gathered by researchers informs decisions about streams, groundwater, and the Great Lakes.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced that the City of Benton Harbor’s most recent six-month monitoring period for lead in drinking water showed a 90th percentile* calculation of 1 part per billion (ppb), well below the state and federal limit of 15 ppb.

Governor Whitmer and the Legislature have directed hundreds of millions of dollars toward implementing the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

Water main replacement in Highland Park, pollution filtration in Ann Arbor’s drinking water plant, and identification of lead water lines in Grand Rapids and Mayville are among $11.7 million in Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) grants recently awarded to Michigan communities.