Clinton River Water Resources Recovery Facility becomes second facility in the country to use innovative technology to remove contaminants and protect drinking water 

Pontiac, MI – Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist on Sep 12th, toured the Clinton River Water Resources Recovery facility in Pontiac to highlight state of Michigan investments in water infrastructure in Oakland County and throughout Michigan. A $32 million investment under the state of Michigan’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund helped Oakland County upgrade the facility and protect drinking water. 

“This facility, and the investment that helped Oakland County implement innovative technology, is an example of the progress we can make when we come together and focus on getting things done,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “The Governor Gretchen Whitmer and I have made transformational investments in Michigan’s water infrastructure through our Building Michigan Together and MI Clean Water plans and we are committed to working with anyone to grow our economy, create jobs, and invest in water infrastructure in communities across Michigan.” 

The Clinton River Water Resource Recovery Facility treats approximately 30 million gallons of stormwater and sanitary sewage each day, serving communities in Oakland County. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan helped Oakland County upgrade the facility’s biosolids management and replace aging equipment, and made the facility the second facility in the nation to use a new process called Thermal Hydrolysis Pretreatment (THP). THP recycles methane gas created by wastewater to power the treatment process.  

“Equipping our communities with effective, innovative climate-resilient water infrastructure solutions will be imperative in coming decades,” said Liesl Clark, Director of EGLE. “This project is an example to the rest of the state and nation of what is possible when cooperation, leadership and vision is applied to that task.” 

“The Clinton River Water Resource Recovery Biosolids’ Project benefits Oakland County residents by contributing to a better environment for all,” said Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash. “The project was financed through the State of Michigan Revolving Fund Loan program, and we are thankful for the support. It was an honor to host the Lt. Governor at our facility today.” 

Investing in water infrastructure 

Since taking office, Governor Whitmer?has invested more resources into water infrastructure than the previous eight years combined. These investments support good-paying jobs and ensure every parent can give their kid a glass of drinking water and know it’s safe.? 

The Building Michigan Together Plan includes nearly $2 billion to address critical water infrastructure needs, creating 27,000 jobs. More than $1 billion for drinking water improvements, including $325 million to replace lead service lines, $55 million to reduce toxic contaminants like PFAS, and funds to rebuild wastewater and sewer infrastructure, protect groundwater resources, provide clean water for schools and childcare centers, prevent highway flooding, and more. 

The Building Michigan Together Plan builds on over $2 billion in investments made in water infrastructure since the governor took office, which have supported an additional 30,000 jobs – 57,000 jobs in total. 

The bipartisan FY2023 budget the governor signed ensures even more water infrastructure upgrades by helping communities leverage state and federal funding to remove lead service lines more quickly, modernize water infrastructure, and test and protect clean water. 

The governor also signed bipartisan legislation to update Michigan’s State Revolving Fund statute, making it easier for communities to finance and initiate water infrastructure projects and allowing dollars to flow more efficiently to address modern infrastructure needs of communities throughout Michigan.