FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2024
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.
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The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission is a public planning agency established in 1956, serving Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties in Mid-Michigan. Tri-County makes our region a more prosperous community by planning for a strong economy, reliable transportation, and sustainable infrastructure and natural resources. We connect local organizations and governments to funding, technical assistance, data resources, and opportunities to discuss trends and challenges affecting the Greater Lansing area. Learn more at www.mitcrpc.org.
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