Project Announced to Determine Feasibility of a Sustainable Water Softening Process for Mid-Michigan Water Providers

The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (Tri-County), on behalf of ten water providers across the mid-Michigan area, is pleased to announce a project that will assess the feasibility of creating a regional drinking water-focused lime calciner facility. The Lansing Board of Water & Light, City of Ann Arbor, City of Jackson, East Lansing Meridian Water & Sewer Authority, Plainfield Charter Township, City of Owosso, City of Mount Pleasant, City of Howell, Marion-Howell-Oceola-Genoa (MHOG) Sewer & Water Utilities, and City of Fenton will jointly participate in a feasibility study dedicated to creating a more sustainable process for softening groundwater.

Water softening plays a beneficial role in improving communities’ water quality and protecting residents when consuming drinking water. Communities across mid-Michigan have relied on the lime-softening process in their water treatment facilities for years to bring drinkable and softened water to over half a million homes.

Discussions among many of these providers regarding chemical supply and residual disposal issues were initiated a decade ago. Following a regional summit hosted by Tri-County to identify key groundwater priorities in late 2022, these topics experienced renewed interest. Since that time, Tri-County has facilitated discussions with the ten regional water suppliers and other community partners regarding increasing concerns with security, competitive bids, cradle-to-grave product management, and potential regulatory changes related to quick lime supply and lime sludge disposal. These conversations have culminated the need for a feasibility study to determine the potential of creating a national industry example by using the lime sludge from ten different water treatment processes and recycling it to create a high-quality and abundant source of quick lime for community utilization.

Supported by a $750,000 Affordability and Planning Grant through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)’s MI Clean Water Plan, Tri-County will work with WSP Michigan, Inc., OHM Advisors, and additional specialists to evaluate the viability of each community’s participation in a shared water softening process, identify the best type of calciner for mid-Michigan, determine potential site locations and transportation options, and conduct a variety of analyses, including job growth and public-private partnerships, carbon capture and waste management, and cost-saving opportunities for local Michigan communities.   

Updates will be made available as the project progresses. Questions may be directed to Environmental Planner Lauren Schnoebelen at lschnoebelen@mitcrpc.org.