The Benton Township Board of Trustees has voted to seek bonds of $20 million for some water and sewer projects.
At a meeting this week, Steve Oosting of the engineering firm Prein and Newhof told trustees the $12 million water bond would be used for two projects. One is at the water plant and one is in a neighborhood.
Oosting told us the water plant project will involve the addition of a second reservoir so the plant can continue operating while the other reservoir is receiving work.
“That’s a needed improvement that’s been on the list for quite some time,” Oosting said. “The state of Michigan has been citing this as a deficiency and a need to improve the system because of that. So, that second reservoir has been a long time coming, and that’s one of two improvements I mentioned for the water system. The second is replacement of the water mains in Higman Park Hills.”
Trustees also voted to seek $8 million in sewer bonds.
“We’re replacing one of the township’s 27 lift stations. It’s one of the older stations, but has been in need of repair for quite a while. And we’re replacing sanitary sewers in portions of Plaza Drive, Napier Avenue, and Norton Avenue.”
Oosting said the projects will use funds from the state revolving fund. They’re a long time in the making as Benton Township in recent years has invested millions of dollars in water and sewer infrastructure.
The projects will likely start next year and continue into the following year.
Read More: Benton Township Trustees seeking $20 million in water and sewer bonds