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1. Are water rates going to increase?

No, your fixed water rate will not increase. Please note water and sewer rates are different from one another and are calculated at different rates on your bill. When the IRP initially began to fail, City Council knew a costly solution would be required to continue to provide residents with safe drinking water. In 2017, fixed water rates began to increase as a proactive measure to cover the debt burden of the water treatment system improvements. Revenue from utility bills must be sufficient to cover costs of State mandated maintenance, operations and improvements. Because City Council recognized the anticipated costs of this project and adjusted rates accordingly at the time, fixed water rates will not be raised at this time.

2. Why didn't the City just connect to Lansing BWL?

When reviewing options for water supply and treatment in Grand Ledge, City Council thoroughly compared the implications and costs of the following options:

1. No Action
2. Optimization of Existing Facilities
3. Regional Option (Connecting to BWL)
4. Construction of New IRP

 The cost to connect to BWL's infrastructure and water supply would have been 2-3x the cost of building a new IRP. To review the studies on each option click here.

3. Will my water quality improve?

Water in Grand Ledge provided to residents and businesses meets every standard set forth by the State of Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). These can all be reviewed in our Annual Water Quality Report. Many customers will experience improved water quality as iron and manganese (naturally occurring minerals that cause discoloration) will be removed from the water supply in an effective and efficient manner. Unfortunately, old plumbing and aging infrastructure can affect water as it is delivered to your tap. Discoloration, many times, is cause by the plumbing inside the home or business. Of the 47 miles of water mains that make up the City's water system, almost 11 miles of that total have been constructed or replaced since 2000. These continued improvements will always improve the look and smell of water.

That being said, the new IRP does not soften water. The level of hardness in tap water is determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water, both of which are common minerals found in the City’s groundwater supply. Most City water customers receive water with moderate hardness. The City of Grand Ledge tests water 16 times each month to ensure the water is safe to drink.

4. Did City Council make this decision without public input?

No. City Council did not take this decision lightly. A public forum for input was held on November 9, 2020, to gather feedback on three options (new IRP, new water softening system, or connection to BWL). The forum was announced publicly as a public notice, on our website, and on Facebook. Public Hearings were held many times throughout the process of determining a plan, gathering research, the bidding process, etc. Residents are always welcome to sign up for public hearing notifications.