Water

County officials anticipate major infrastructural changes as plans for a proposed Augusta Township data center move forward. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

While they have been only provided plans, the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) says the proposed University of Michigan data center in Ypsilanti Township likely wouldn’t strain its capacity for water and sewer service. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Ann Arbor residents can now learn about the history of Allen Creek while going for a walk in town. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

It would be a great relief to be independent of worry about oil spills that could contaminate the Great Lakes. But those worries exist among environmentalists and many in our Great Lakes state. Enbridge Energy is moving forward with plans to build a tunnel around its Line 5 pipeline that runs through the Straits of Mackinac. The new director of the University of Michigan Water Center is Dr. Mike Shriberg. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, to discuss the implications.

The local community has been raising concerns over the City of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw County Water Resources Office's choice to exterminate beavers in Ann Arbor. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more.

One of the main goals of the draft Comprehensive Use Plan is to spur economic and residential growth in Ann Arbor. But such growth could bring infrastructure problems. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

There are a good number of private septic systems in Washtenaw County. Assessments show that nearly half of those systems have exceeded their expected lifespans and could fail in the near future. That would not only threaten the ecosystems of local waterways but also put public health in jeopardy. The Huron River Watershed Council is advocating that the private septic systems be replaced with centralized water treatment systems. WEMU's David Fair talked with the council’s Ric Lawson about what it would take to make that change.

The Washtenaw County Board of Health is conducting a meeting Friday to discuss current public health concerns and establish pathways for potential solutions. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

The Ann Arbor City Council Monday night approved increases in the local water, sewer and stormwater rates. The administration says the hikes are needed for infrastructure improvements. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Legislation rolled out Wednesday would help lower-income households with access to safe and affordable water. Rick Pluta tells us the bills have bipartisan support.