Substantial Public Health Risks Projects Grant

Purpose: Support projects that address a substantial public health risk from wastewater treatment or collection system failure by removing direct and continuous discharges of wastewater to surface water or groundwater and protecting public and environmental health. Project eligibility: Projects were considered if they involved (1) areas with direct and continuous discharges of raw sewage to waters of the state or to land (including failing on-site systems or a failing sewerage system affecting at least five homes), (2) treatment system failures with direct and continuous discharges that impact or have a high potential to impact a public drinking water source, or (3) discharges that create a substantial public health risk under NREPA. Additional applicant eligibility: EGLE had to confirm the public health risk per PA 53 of 2022 based on an administrative order/judgment, a local health department determination, NPDES-related information for failing lagoon systems, or an EGLE determination of immediate and substantial risk. Recipients had to comply with ARPA Fiscal Recovery Fund requirements (including reporting and Davis-Bacon), not be federally debarred/suspended, and provide proof of a successful financial audit within 24 months of award or receive an EGLE exemption. Prioritization favored communities with consent orders or documented public health issues (e.g., impacted drinking water wells or public contact with continuous raw sewage), along with other factors such as prior SPHRP assistance and project scope. Application process: The program was administered by EGLE’s Water Infrastructure Funding and Financing Section; applications were accepted until program funds were fully awarded and the program is now closed.