Water Supply Pipeline
Project Overview
In an effort to save local residents millions of dollars in future water bills, the Genesee County drain commission, along with commissions of Lapeer and Sanilac counties, and the cities of Flint and Lapeer, formed the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA) in 2010. The KWA decided to build a pipeline to Lake Huron instead of relying on the city of Detroit for its water supply.
Fleis & VandenBrink was hired for surveying, designing and construction observation of transmission mains on a 13-mile portion of the 65-mile pipeline project that also included pump stations and lake intake. Fleis & VandenBrink is also providing resident engineering services on a separate 15-mile section of the project.
Construction is expected to finish in 2016. The project is the largest construction project in Genesee County in the last 50 years and sees the KWA control their own supply. The new pipeline, which will draw 86 million gallons of water a day from Lake Huron, is expected to save KWA residents $3 to $5 million during the first year the pipeline is in use — and every year after.
