QUINNESEC — A two-year project to replace an estimated 368 water service lines in East Kingsford is scheduled to begin this fall as Breitung Township moves to secure state-assisted financing totaling $4 million.

The Michigan Drinking Water State Revolving Fund package includes a loan of $1,792,500, plus a grant in the same amount. Restoration such as roadway paving, as well as sidewalk and driveway repairs, is included in the project cost.

The township board Monday approved a resolution to publish a notice of intent to issue revenue bonds not to exceed $4 million, which is about $400,000 more than the estimated project cost. The higher amount is based on a recommendation from bond counsel Miller Canfield to allow for contingencies and other potential adjustments, said Julia Miller, township administrative assistant and code enforcement clerk.

The $1,792,500 grant will come in the form of principal forgiveness on the $4 million in revenue bonds.

Across Michigan, communities are required to replace service lines containing lead — and galvanized lines previously connected to lead — by 2041. In many cases, the service lines replaced are galvanized pipes connected to water mains through a “gooseneck” that contains lead.

Michigan’s DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement program administered through the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is largely supported by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021.

To help meet the up to 40-year financing obligation, customers in Breitung Township are seeing a $10 monthly increase this year in fixed water charges. The project timeline calls for a bid advertisement in May and a loan closing in late August.

In a related matter, the board has learned that archaeological monitoring will be needed for about 50 water services that are within 1.5 miles of the Menominee River. A plan will be prepared to serve as a guide if archaeological material or human remains are encountered during project work.

In other action, the township board:

— Has accepted a $50,000 grant from the Michigan Infrastructure Office-Technical Assistance Center to assist in planning a connection between the East Kingsford and Quinnesec water systems, and identifying and developing a new well site. Completion of the planning activities would position the township to submit a competitive application for Rural Development aid through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. No township match is needed for the technical assistance grant.

— Declined, at this time, to provide financial support to the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team, or UPSET, which operates across all 15 counties of the U.P. The township will continue to help fund the local drug enforcement team KIND, or Kingsford, Iron Mountain, Norway, Dickinson County. The current agreement provides support to KIND of $1.25 per resident.

— Has authorized the Dickinson County Road Commission to seek bids for work on South Van Buren Street and Hydraulic Falls Road.

— Is seeking bids to install new doors at the East Kingsford warming shelter and bathrooms, the Quinnesec warming shelter and bathrooms, the East Kingsford Fire Hall exterior, the Quinnesec Fire Hall exterior and the Breitung Township Hall kitchen.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.