The Three Rivers City Commission has authorized City Manager Joe Bippus to pursue an agreement with Lockport Township under which the city would provide water service to properties on the north side of Three Rivers.

No formal action was taken during the commission meeting Monday evening (November 2nd), but there was a willingness to explore the matter further.

In a memo to the commission, Bippus sketched the situation in which the State of Michigan, through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), has funded expansion of Lockport Township’s municipal water system to serve properties where environmental contamination has been found in private drinking water wells.

According to the memo, “An area of contamination south of Lovers Lane to the north edge of the city has been identified and needs to be served with a municipal water system.”

The memo goes on to say, “The DEQ approached the city because our municipal water system is adjacent to the area already.  The DEQ does not want to install another water line adjacent to ours.  They have asked Lockport Township to see if an agreement can be reached between the city and the Township for water service to this area.  The DEQ will connect customers to the city water system to serve this area if an agreement is reached.”

The memo outlines key points that have emerged in regard to the situation:

•    DEQ would pay to connect all the properties to the city water system at no cost to the city.
•    DEQ would build the system to city specifications and the city would approve the plan.
•    DEQ would pay to close all the wells on the properties that connect to the city water system.
•    The city would offer 1.25 the city rate.
•    The city would have a contract with each property owner for payment and an agreement to follow the city ordinances for use of the water system.
•    A PA-425 (Conditional Land Transfer Agreement) would have to be developed for property owners that wish to use other city services.  City administration would recommend that an automatic agreement be in place for all the properties to use as needed.

Commissioner Daryl Griffith suggested that the rate to be paid by Lockport Township “needs some sort of analysis” to assure that “It’s fair and equitable to city taxpayers.”  He said he would “only be willing to do this for a single family, owner occupied residence, not for a business.”   And he also said he has “a real question on rental properties.”

Mayor Allen Balog noted his understanding that – if DEQ is going to foot the bill for the hookups, it must be done by December 31.  In regard to a rate differential, Balog said, “They definitely need to pay more than city residents do.”

Balog asked Bippus pursue the matter and to bring back his findings and recommendations.