New Haven water supply may get boost from voters

Bond proposal for up to $10M would allow fixes to aging system

Candice Williams / The Detroit News

New Haven -- The village's aging pipes have led to frequent water main breaks and low water pressure for some residents, but officials hope a November ballot issue will provide relief.

Voters on Nov. 3 will be asked to approve a 30-year bond proposal that will allow the village to borrow up to $10 million to replace the water supply system. Officials say the project should cost $5.4 million and allow them to take advantage of a federal stimulus grant covering 40 percent of the project.

In addition to the stimulus money, the village qualifies for a low-interest loan for the remaining $3.2 million of the costs. Households would be charged an additional $35 every three months on their water bill, Village President Jammie Kincaid said.

"We have an outdated system, and like anything you have to change things over time," Kincaid said of the 60-year-old system. "We spend a lot of money on water main breaks."

Not everyone agrees with the plan. Some residents have expressed their disapproval, said Robert Crayton, operator in charge at the village's Department of Public Works.

"I'm a little concerned because I'm not getting the positive support I would hope," he said. "I hope people understand how critical this issue is and vote for it."

The water system features narrow 4-inch diameter pipes, half the current recommended width, officials said. The northeast end of the village, which comprises about 2,800 of the village's 4,000 households, has suffered the most. During the summer, officials enacted a stringent but brief water ban.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will require the village to improve its water system even if the bond proposal doesn't pass, said Paul Koleda, an environmental quality analyst for the MDEQ. There can be no new development in the village until the issue is resolved.

"If you have pipes that have a lot of breaks in them, there is potential that they could get contaminated at the break," he said. "If you don't have adequate pressure, it could be danger if you have a fire."

Resident Marilyn Kaake said she thinks the repairs are long overdue. She said she doesn't mind paying the extra money each quarter.

"Now we're at a point where it's a crisis," she said. "It has to be done."

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