Water System Improvements and DWSRF Bond Financing
Saginaw
Summary
The city is seeking up to $9.15 million in state drinking water loans — with big chunks forgiven — to replace watermains, loop dead-end lines, and replace roughly 250 lead service lines, timed to a Perkins Street road project.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 26, 2026.
Impact analysis
With 23% and 50% loan forgiveness, roughly $1.5 million-plus of the watermain debt and half of the lead line debt would never need repaying.
Residents on the affected watermains and the roughly 250 homes that will get lead service lines replaced.
Mentions & discussions (7)
City Council - Oct 26, 2026
The consent agenda included up to $20,000 for Raftelis Financial Consultants to advise the water and wastewater departments, plus a $2,770 mixer prop assembly for water treatment. These touch the systems residents pay water rates for.
City Council - Aug 31, 2026
The city spent $17,327 on a variable frequency drive for its water and wastewater treatment pumping operations — routine maintenance that keeps treatment plants and pumps running reliably.
City Council - Jul 27, 2026
The council held a hearing and authorized refunding bonds for the water supply system — essentially refinancing existing water debt, usually to lower costs.
City Council - May 18, 2026
The city is adding two water main replacements (Sheridan Ave and E. Genesee Ave, ~$8.2 million combined) to its low-interest state loan plan and tentatively awarded contracts for the North Mason water main ($2.68M) and replacing roughly 200 lead/galvanized service lines ($1.53M), backed by up to $18.8 million in bonds. No new rate increase is needed — it was already built into the 7% rate plan.
City Council - Apr 13, 2026
The city shifted its solids handling plan from optimizing existing facilities to a construction alternative, estimated at $29 million, funded through the state Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The public hearing drew supportive comments.
City Council - Mar 9, 2026
The city hired Bendzinski & Co. for $30,500 to advise on bonds for its water supply system, including lead service line and water main replacement. That work affects drinking water safety citywide.
City Council - Feb 23, 2026
The city is seeking up to $9.15 million in state drinking water loans — with big chunks forgiven — to replace watermains, loop dead-end lines, and replace roughly 250 lead service lines, timed to a Perkins Street road project.
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