City to receive $4.9 million to replace lead lines

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the omnibus bill that includes $4.9 million for the City of Wayne. Photo by John Rhaesa

By Sarah Shurge – The City of Wayne is one step closer to ensuring safe drinking water for all residents with the lead line replacement project.
During the Wayne City Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 11th, State Senator Darrin Camilleri and State Representative Kevin Coleman announced that the 2023 state budget will include $4.9 million for lead line replacement for homes in the City of Wayne.
This funding will allow the city to replace 400+ lead service lines that continue to pose a significant health risk to residents.
“Lead lines are a public health crisis across the country,” said Lisa Nocerini, City Manager. “With the funding secured for the City of Wayne by State Senator Darrin Camilleri and State Representative Kevin Coleman, we are now able to replace these lines in a more equitable and much more efficient manner.”
Senator Camilleri and Representative Coleman partnered up to ensure that Wayne was a priority in the recently passed state omnibus bill and presented a check to the City of Wayne for $4.9 million at the council meeting.
On Monday, August 1st, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the omnibus bill that includes $4.9 million for the City of Wayne.
Wayne Mayor John Rhaesa represented the City of Wayne at the bill signing.
“The City of Wayne is incredibly grateful for their [Senator Camilleri and Representative Coleman] hard work getting the $4.9 million in the omnibus bill,” said Nocerini.

Receiving the ceremonial check from State Senator Darrin Camilleri and State Representative Kevin Coleman. From left to right, City Manager Lisa Nocerini, Councilman Mathew Mulholland, Councilwoman Deb Wass, Councilman Eric Cleereman, Senator Camilleri, Mayor John Rhaesa, Building and Engineering Director Michael Buiten, State Representative Coleman, Assistant Department of Public Works Director Ed Queen, former Mayor Pro Tem Tom Porter, Councilman Kevin Dowd, and Mayor Pro Tem Alfred Brock. Photo by Jonathan Mason

The funding will officially be available by or on October 1st. This will help to expedite the replacements.
In accordance with the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, the following are examples of methods the City of Wayne Department of Public Works (DPW) listed for you to reduce your exposure to lead in drinking water:
• Run your water to flush out lead-containing water.
• If you do not have a lead service line, run the water for 30 seconds to two minutes, or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature.
• If you do have a lead service line, run the water for at least five minutes to flush water from your home or building’s plumbing and the lead service line.
• Clean your faucet aerator to remove trapped debris.
• Consider using a filter to reduce lead in drinking water. (Note: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommends that any household with a child or pregnant woman use cold water and a certified lead filter to remove lead from their drinking water, especially when preparing baby formula.)
• Do not use hot water for drinking, preparing food, or cooking, or preparing baby formula.
• Do not boil your water. (Boiling will not reduce the amount of lead in water)
• Check whether your home has a lead service line.
“We have over 400 lead service lines here in our city. Our goal and our plan that we set out to accomplish back in 2020 is the full replacement of all lead service lines. This critical funding will help to expedite those replacements so everyone can have access to safe drinking water in their homes.” said Mike Buiten, Wayne Building and Engineering Director.
The city has been sending notifications to all homes per a state requirement about this matter since 2020. To check if your home has a lead line, please contact the Wayne DPW at (734)721-8600.