Water & Sewer Improvements
Contact
Department of Municipal Utilities
Phone
(231) 922-4900
As the City continues to focus on the improvement of water systems, five year project plans for drinking water and clean water (wastewater) have been developed resulting in $48 million investment.
The City Commission's 2022 adopted their Goals and Objectives identified water systems as a strategic priority with a goal to proactively and consistently maintain, conserve, and manage water and water systems to reduce harm to the systems themselves as well as public health and safety.
Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study: Active Project
Smoke Testing
The City is launching the field work portion of the Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study (SSES) that began in May 2025. This proactive study is designed to identify areas of inflow and infiltration (I&I) within the city’s sanitary sewer system, particularly on the west side of the City. The field work is was completed in residential neighborhoods and dates for Downtown Traverse City are to be determined.
SSES is a comprehensive effort that includes smoke testing, dye testing, CCTV inspections, and field assessments. These methods help detect leaks, breaks, or improper connections that allow stormwater or groundwater to enter the sanitary sewer system, overburdening the pipes and treatment facilities.
Why it Matters
Inflow and infiltration not only raise treatment costs but can also lead to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) that impact public health and the environment—especially during large rain events or high groundwater conditions.
What to Expect
The contractor, OHM Advisors, conducted field testing in selected neighborhoods. A mailer is being prepared to notify residents affected. Each week, a public service announcement will be issued by the City identifying the locations scheduled for testing. Locations will also be indentified in the City's website and in the Bay Brief. Please notify the City if there is any individual in your home or business who has respiratory problems and is immobile.
During smoke testing, a non-toxic, non-staining, and fire-safe smoke is blown through the sewer system to detect faults. Residents may see white or gray smoke coming from vent pipes or the ground—this is normal. However, if you notice smoke inside your home, it could mean a dry or defective drain trap. Pouring one gallon of water into drains before smoke testing helps prevent this.
Sewer Manhole Inspection Field Work: June 6th - 20th
Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians should be aware that OHM Advisors, in coordination with the City of Traverse City Water/Wastewater Maintenance Division, will begin conducting sewer manhole evaluations throughout the City for the Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study (SSES) June 6, 2025. The field work is anticipated to be completed by June 20, 2025.
The field work will result in intermittent lane closures and sidewalk closures. Access will be maintained to all businesses, parking lots, and re
sidences at all times and appropriate signage will be in place.
Work is weather dependent, and modifications may be necessary. If possible, please use alternate routes avoiding this area to reduce congestion, delay, and promote worker safety.
Water Service Line Replacement Project: Active Project
Michigan's 2017 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) declares that a galvanized water service is a lead service line if it "is or ever was" connected to a lead gooseneck, and requires the water utility to pay for replacing private water services from the curb stop near the right of way into the building or home. A lead gooseneck is a 3-foot-long piece of lead pipe used as a transition between the brass connection to the water main and a threaded galvanized pipe. These were installed prior to the mid-1940's. Since then, the City has been installing copper services for the City-owned portion between the water main and the curb stop. The City has no known fully lead services (lead pipes). Not all private galvanized water service lines need to be replaced. For example, if a private galvanized service line was originally connected to a City-owned copper service from the water main, it was never connected to a lead gooseneck, so it doesn't need to be replaced.
The City received a $3,510,500 DWSRF loan and a $1,504,500 DWI grant in 2022 (totaling $5,015,000) to fund a three-year project to replace approximately 300 private galvanized water service lines previously connected to lead goosenecks. Additionally, the City was awarded a $2 million grant from the Michigan Department of Great Lakes and Energy to support further replacements under the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) criteria.
In 2023 (Year 1), 116 service lines were replaced. In 2024 (Year 2), 217 replacements were completed. In 2025 (Year 3), 130 replacements are planned, bringing the total to 463 replacements over three years. An estimated 320 additional service lines still require replacement.
Week of June 16th Locations
The week of June 16th, the project will be conducted on the 700 and 800 block of Sixth Street, and the 100 and 200 blocks of S. Spruce Street. The work will cause sidewalk and intermittent street closures.
May of June 9, 2025 Locations
The week of June 9th, the project will be conducted on 300 block of S. Cedar, 800 and 900 blocks of Seventh, 300 block of S. Spruce, and the 700 block of Sixth. The work will cause sidewalk and intermittent street closures.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
In June 2021, the City Commission approved developing a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Project Plan. The Project Plan identifies improvements to the Water Treatment Plant, the Distribution System, and projects related to aging infrastructure, water quality, and improved treatment of efficiency and electrical energy reduction. The total estimated cost of potential improvements is $20,261,500 over a 5 year period.
- Service Line Replacement (active)
- US-31 MDOT Project, 16 Inch from US-31/Bay and 12 Inch from US-31/Railroad to US-31/Garfield (complete)
- WTP Improvements
- Electrical Improvements
- Pump & Valve Replacement/Rehabilitation
- Sodium Hypochlorite Storage Tank & Building Upgrades
- Backwash and Surface Wash Pumps
- Freight Elevator & Generator Replacement
- Wayne Hill Booster Station (active)
- North Madison & Jefferson Watermain (complete)
- 24 Inch from Lake/Cass to Lake/Union
- 24 Inch from Lake/Union to Lake/Wadsworth
- 16 Inch on East Front from Franklin to Park
- 24 Inch from Webster/Rose to 8th/Railroad
- 24 Inch from Garfield/Washington to Webster/Rose
The total estimated cost of potential improvements in 2021 was $20,261,500 over a 5 year period. EGLE provides a low-interest loan financing program to assist qualified municipalities with the construction or upgrade of drinking water infrastructure.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Project Plan
Clean Water State Revolving Fund
The Project Plan for the City of Traverse City Wastewater Improvements Program has been prepared using the Project Plan Preparation Guidance of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Administrative Rules.
- Lower Boardman River Wall Sanitary Sewer (complete)
- Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation
- Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study (SSES) (active)
- US 31 Reconstruction - Utility Replacement (complete)
- Primary Treatment improvements (active)
- UV Disinfection Upgrades (active)
- East Front Street Sewer Improvements
- Wet Weather Equalization/Diversion
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Project Plan was a result of conditions found during recent Stormwater, Asset Management, and Wastewater System (SAW) Programs, and other evaluations completed. Several of the sanitary sewer collection system projects are needed to ensure the sanitary collection system and Wastewater Treatment Plant operates properly. Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) and Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) that have were also considered with the project plan. The total estimated cost of potential improvements in 2021 was $28,734,260 over a 5 year period.
Clean Water State State Revolving Fund Project Plan
Project 1: Boardman River Wall Stablization & Sewer Relocation Project
Water Reliability Study
The City also conducted a Water Reliability Study in 2021. The existing and future demands for the projected 5-year and 20-year conditions demonstrate that the current maximum demand can be met by the firm water supply capacity (19.7 mgd) of the Water Treatment Plant, but the 20-year maximum daily demand will be approaching the firm water supply capacity.
Funding
Approximlately $28.5 million in Clean Water (wastewater) projects are being planned over the next five years, the bulk of which – $17 million – is for upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant.
The City is also targeting over $20 million in repairs to its Drinking Water (water) system over the next years, including its water treatment plant and distribution lines.
The DWSRF and the CWSRF projects are being funded by State Revolving Fund (SRF) low-interest loans (1.85%). For the first year, 30% of the DWSRF loan and 15% of the CWSRF loan will be forgiven through grants from the state.
At their August 15, 2022 meeting, the City Commission approved up to $8 million in bonds for year 1 in drinking and clean water project plans. The DWSRF Project Plan received approval for up to $4.5 million in bonds for the Boardman River Wall Sanitary Sewer Relocation Project. The CWSRF Project Plan received approval for up to $3.5 million in bonds for the Service Line Replacement Project.