McDonald Rivet Announces New Efforts to Expand Access to Safe Drinking Water in Mid-Michigan

FLINT— Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) announced new federal funding requests aimed at expanding access to safe, clean drinking water in mid-Michigan. This funding would both protect public health and help attract economic development and investment in the region.

“Safe, reliable drinking water should be available to everyone, no matter where they live,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “I’m working with community leaders from across the district to secure this funding so all mid-Michigan families, seniors, businesses, and healthcare facilities can access clean water.”

This set of federal funding requests is part of Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s Community Project Funding Initiative that she is fighting to have included in the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget. They include:

• A Charter Township of Fenton request to install new water lines for Fenton Township, the City of Linden, and Mundy Township. This would improve public access to safe drinking water in homes, schools, businesses, and industrial properties. By expanding access to clean water, this project is also expected to attract tens of millions of dollars in economic investment.
  • “This funding would allow us to install new water lines to safely deliver reliable drinking water to thousands of residents and four local schools,” said Vince Lorraine, Fenton Township Supervisor. “We’re very grateful to Congresswoman McDonald Rivet for her support for Fenton Township and our residents.”
• A City of Linden request to improve water system reliability, comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, and ensure equitable access to safe water in the area, including the Linden Community School District and senior populations. This project will also help offset costs and utility rate increases for residents, many of whom are on fixed incomes.
  • “This funding is essential to Linden’s water system, allowing us to retire outdated infrastructure and helping stabilize rates for seniors and residents on fixed incomes. Without this support, the financial burden would fall heavily on a small community already stretching every dollar,” said Ellen Glass, Linden City Manager. “We’re grateful to Congresswoman McDonald Rivet for championing this impactful project and advocating for communities like ours.”
• A Bangor Township request to replace lead water lines, which will create a safer and more reliable water system and protect residents from dangerous chemicals. This project will also create jobs and attract businesses, housing developments, and other economic investments.
  • “These funds would allow us to replace lead water lines and protect the people of beautiful Bangor Township from harmful chemicals. We also have a lot of cast iron lines that were installed in the 1940s that are in desperate need of replacement,” said Glenn Rowley, Bangor Township Supervisor. “We’re grateful to Congresswoman McDonald Rivet for her support of this indispensable project.”
• A City of Midland request to purchase and install an onsite emergency power generator and associated switchgear to operate the Valley Drive Pump Station during a power outage. This will support a supply of backup drinking water for both the general population and the hospital campus of MyMichigan Medical Center Midland. Midland is especially vulnerable to flooding and resulting power outages, so having such an onsite backup power source is vital.
  • “A permanent backup generator would give Midland residents the peace of mind that our water system will still be able to deliver reliable water services to the community in the case of an emergency,” said Brad Kaye, Midland City Manager. “Thank you Congresswoman McDonald Rivet for supporting this crucial project for our community.”
• A Buena Vista Charter Township request to upgrade the wastewater system, enabling the safe return of clean water from treatment plants to water sources. This will ensure the long-term safety and sustainability of the water system while protecting residents from waterborne diseases and illnesses.
  • “Buena Vista Charter Township is thankful to Representative McDonald Rivet for fighting for critical funding to ensure that clean water is delivered to Buena Vista families,” said Torrie L. Lee, Buena Vista Charter Township Superintendent. With it, we can make the consequential upgrades to our community’s water treatment operations to improve water safety and efficiency, and ensure long-term sustainability.”

In addition to these funding requests, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet is also fighting for the Flint Registry. She led a bipartisan coalition of Democratic and Republican members of Michigan’s Congressional delegation in a letter to budget leaders in Congress requesting the Flint Registry receive its usual $5 million in annual funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which would enable the Registry to continue supporting the Flint community’s recovery from the water crisis. Additionally, the Congresswoman advocates for clean water access as a member of the Lead Caucus, Bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, and Bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force.