To improve the quality and reliability of its water supply for residents, the City of Mount Clemens is transitioning from their dedicated water filtration plant to the Great Lakes Water Authority’s (GLWA) regional system. The design-build approach is being used to accelerate the project to meet Michigan State Drinking Water Revolving Fund schedules and minimize disruption. Dan’s Excavating is serving as prime contractor and Wade Trim is providing design services.

The project features two connections to GLWA’s water transmission main for redundancy, a new pump station and ground storage tank, and a new water transmission main connection to the City’s distribution system. In addition, 44 lead service lines to homes will be replaced and the old water filtration plant will be demolished. The project also includes road restoration, maintenance of traffic, permitting from multiple federal and local agencies, hydraulic review, structural design, and coordination with adjacent communities and the public.

With a focus on meeting schedule demands and coordinating stakeholders, the project team also found ways to reduce costs. For example, initial plans to construct ductile iron water transmission main via open-cut installation were changed to a more cost-effective and less disruptive approach using HDPE pipe and directional drilling, saving nearly $1 million. The water supply transition is expected to be completed in 2028.