The New Future of Water Infrastructure

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, water providers kept our water fresh and flowing, into and out of our homes. As our water infrastructure systems continue to age, it is critical that we address important infrastructure investment needs and develop regional initiatives to support strategic investments. Input from regional stakeholders has demonstrated that investment in our stormwater, wastewater and drinking water systems is critical for the resilience of our infrastructure system and for public health. This page provides an overview of what we've heard, regional highlights, challenges ahead, recommendations for the future, and resources to support your work.

Learn more about SEMCOG and MAC's  New Future of Southeast Michigan  series here, with topics covering  travel and mobility ,  office and commercial space ,  remote work and education ,  healthcare ,  education and workforce ,  water infrastructure ,  government operations , and  broadband .

Current infrastructure investment needs for the region’s roads and water infrastructure is at least $5 Billion annually.

The 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) states that transportation funding needs to increase from $400 million annually to $1.6 billion annually in order to bring 80% of our roads to good or fair condition. On the water infrastructure side, the underground infrastructure needs to be improved to 100% good or fair condition. Why? All water infrastructure should be in good or fair condition because it has a direct connection to public health. The drinking water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater investment needed is $3.5 billion annually to get to that level. This brings the annual regional need to $5 Billion.

It's important to note that in addition to these linear assets (roads and water and sewer pipes), the region has water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, culverts, and bridges that need attention and investment, but are not included in that $5 billion.

One final caveat is that the $5 billion estimate is based on 2021 dollars, does not account for inflation, and does not include investments for resizing our infrastructure based on changing needs. 

Based on a recent analysis of the region’s water infrastructure, SEMCOG estimates that about 30% of our drinking water and sanitary sewer systems are in poor condition. About 20% of the stormwater systems are in poor condition; however, local agencies have much less data on these systems. Stormwater systems, for the most part, do not have a funding source for maintenance and improvements, which limits the data available for the condition estimates. It is likely that what is in the ground is worse than this representation.

Did you know that much of the water infrastructure in the SEMCOG region was installed post World War II? During that time the United States had significant growth and the federal government provided about 60% of the water infrastructure investment pool. Now, 70-80 years later, that federal investment is less than 10%, and much of that infrastructure is reaching the end of it’s useful life.

This information was presented to the attendees at the Community Conversation as a precursor to a discussion focused on increased precipitation and flooding. 

In August of 2021, SEMCOG hosted a community conversation about about water infrastructure needs for the region. Following on the heels of recent flooding events, the discussion centered around short-term and long-term priorities regarding stormwater management and addressing flooding in the region. Participants in this Community Conversation discussed important investment gaps and critical future needs.

The following broad categories emerged as challenges and priorities that water officials are facing, and need to be addressed to ensure and equitable and resilient water infrastructure system.

Results from a recent SEMCOG study estimate that the investment need for stormwater collection systems is at least $1 billion annually through 2045 to keep systems in fair to good condition. This does not include any upsizing or right-sizing to address larger rain events, nor does it include stormwater treatment and other flood control infrastructure. Stormwater infrastructure does not have a sustainable funding source and is not supported by local water and sewer rate programs. Legislative policies and funding mechanisms are vital to successfully address flooding challenges.  

Strategic investments for long-term improvements requires coordinated management of vital infrastructure assets across all infrastructure classes and jurisdictions. This includes public and private utilities and transcends planning, design and construction.  At the same time, this also requires improved data collection and asset management programs. Local asset management programs are critical to understanding condition of water infrastructure to support strategic, coordinated investments.  

If you are interested in coordinated infrastructure planning, please consider participating in our  capital improvement project . 

In August, 2014 a large storm event resulted in 6 inches of rainfall in an 8-hour period. This event resulted in a federal disaster designation, and 1.8 billion dollars in damages. In June of 2021, the region experienced 5-8 inches, resulting in severe infrastructure flooding, freeway closures, basement backups, and another federal disaster declaration

Recent technical studies forecast possible scenarios for future rainfall in the region. Given this information local agencies are collaborating on infrastructure planning and design alternatives to consider future predictions. 

For example, a typical storm sewer is designed to convey runoff from a 10-year, 24-hour storm event which is presently about 3-inches in the region. Model results from six different forecasts, estimate that same rain event could reach over 5-inches by mid-century. What does this mean? The region’s infrastructure systems are overburdened now and are facing an ongoing decline in level of service. The 100-year event of today could potentially be the 10-year event by mid-century.  

Increased public education is greatly needed, to help people understand how our water infrastructure system works, how people can maintain their privately-owned water infrastructure, and how local funding supports infrastructure investments.

Addressing the challenges of funding, infrastructure coordination, climate resiliency, and education are vital in building and ensuring the longevity of our water infrastructure system. The following are regional priorities, and current initiatives with SEMCOG and their regional partners are working to address. 

From this community conversation, we heard that flooding is a persistent challenge within communities across Southeast Michigan. Our stormwater system was not meant to handle the amount of precipitation that the region is receiving, and needs to be invested in, so that our level of service does not decline. SEMCOG and their partners are working to address the challenges and opportunities discussed above, to ensure the sustainability and resilience of our water infrastructure system. The following list includes the next steps for addressing flooding and investing in our water infrastructure system.

• Present and solicit feedback at October General Assembly
• Monthly Rainfall Committee Meetings
• Appoint an Infrastructure Task Force
• Develop a Regional Stormwater Management Strategy