Marquette County adopts KI Sawyer wastewater improvement plan after public hearing
May 01, 2026 | Marquette County, Michigan
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The Marquette County Board of Commissioners on April 21, 2026 adopted a final project plan to upgrade the KI Sawyer Wastewater System, approving sewer main replacement and relining, manhole replacement, lift station improvements, influent-screening replacement, a new sludge drying bed, a UV sanitization unit and replacement of the wastewater treatment plant generator.
The plan was presented by Rob Anderson of GEI Consultants during a public hearing at the Henry A. Skewis Annex. Margaret Brumm, a member of the public, said the county’s sewage treatment infrastructure is important to local businesses and the community. Chairperson Joseph Derocha opened and later closed the hearing after public comment.
The board’s resolution formally adopts the project plan and designates Chairperson Joseph Derocha as the authorized representative to take all project-related actions, including submitting the Project Plan as the initial step in applying to the State of Michigan for a revolving fund loan to assist with implementation. Commissioner Nordeen moved to adopt the resolution; Commissioner LaLonde seconded. A roll-call vote recorded four ayes, zero nays; Commissioners Benzie and Numinen were absent.
Why it matters: the plan targets long-standing components of the KI Sawyer system that county staff and consultants identified for replacement or upgrade; the items listed address conveyance (mains and manholes), pumping (lift stations), treatment (screening, UV sanitization, sludge drying) and generator resiliency. If the county receives funding through the state revolving fund program, it would help shift construction costs away from the county’s general fund.
What’s next: with the project plan adopted, county staff will proceed with submittal to the State of Michigan as the first step in applying for revolving fund assistance. The resolution does not record a project budget or construction timeline; those details were not specified at the meeting.
The plan was presented by Rob Anderson of GEI Consultants during a public hearing at the Henry A. Skewis Annex. Margaret Brumm, a member of the public, said the county’s sewage treatment infrastructure is important to local businesses and the community. Chairperson Joseph Derocha opened and later closed the hearing after public comment.
The board’s resolution formally adopts the project plan and designates Chairperson Joseph Derocha as the authorized representative to take all project-related actions, including submitting the Project Plan as the initial step in applying to the State of Michigan for a revolving fund loan to assist with implementation. Commissioner Nordeen moved to adopt the resolution; Commissioner LaLonde seconded. A roll-call vote recorded four ayes, zero nays; Commissioners Benzie and Numinen were absent.
Why it matters: the plan targets long-standing components of the KI Sawyer system that county staff and consultants identified for replacement or upgrade; the items listed address conveyance (mains and manholes), pumping (lift stations), treatment (screening, UV sanitization, sludge drying) and generator resiliency. If the county receives funding through the state revolving fund program, it would help shift construction costs away from the county’s general fund.
What’s next: with the project plan adopted, county staff will proceed with submittal to the State of Michigan as the first step in applying for revolving fund assistance. The resolution does not record a project budget or construction timeline; those details were not specified at the meeting.
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