Sewer at Miner Lake
Lake Living Without Limitations
↑ Increase your independence
↑ Improve the health of the lake
Fewer Restrictions
Long-term Solution
Improved Water Quality
Septic systems at Miner Lake are… not ideal.
A review of publicly available records at the Allegan County Health Department revealed:
Click here to read the Preliminary Engineering Report for Miner Lake, prepared by Fleis & Vandenbrink. The study includes maps that show: Age of System | Type of System | Location of Elevated Systems
Click here to read the CWSRF Grant Application Report submitted for 2025
Engineers Detailed
Three Possible Sewer Solutions
Option A
Gravity Collection System
- Gravity collection system with 4 miles of local gravity sewer
- Open cuts and dewatering
- Some grinder pumps for homes below grade
- Full solids sent to Allegan City over forcemain
- Ownership of system transferred to City Allegan at Project completion
- Monthly wastewater treatment fee set by Allegan City
Option B
Low-Pressure
Grinder Pump System
- Small-diameter collection pipe low-pressure sewer
- Mix of directional drilling and open cuts
- Individual grinder pumps (229)
- Full solids sent to Allegan City over forcemain
- Ownership of system transferred to City Allegan at Project completion
- Monthly wastewater treatment fee set by Allegan City
- Additional service contractor for grinder pump maintenance
Option C
Low-Pressure
STEP system
- Small-diameter collection pipe low-pressure sewer
- Mix of directional drilling and open cuts
- Individual STEP systems (229)
- Liquid only sent to Allegan City over forcemain
- Ownership of system transferred to City Allegan at Project completion
- Monthly wastewater treatment fee set by Allegan City
- Removal of solids from STEP systems (approx 7-10 years)
Fourth Option
STEP collection system with Local Treatment, Community Drainfields
Note: This option was approved to be investigated, however the Township removed the funding prior to the completion of this work. The anticipated details reflected:
- Wastewater sent to local treatment site within a couple miles of Miner Lake
- Small-diameter collection pipe low-pressure sewer
- Mostly directional drilling
- Individual STEP systems (229)
- Liquid only to allow for lower treatment costs
- Much shorter distances for forcemains and lower cost
- City Allegan would not be involved and therefore more flexibility in design and hook-up requirements
- Monthly wastewater treatment fee set by a local authority (Miner Lake led) in partnership with a service contractor
We have not had the opportunity to fully explore this option.
Pursuit of Project Grants and Funding Support:
As you likely know, construction projects like a sewer collection system for Miner Lake can be expensive and, as we observed from our prior attempts to install sewer, they seem to get more expensive over time. The engineering cost estimates are very important, but they only part of the picture. It is also important to understand that the engineers are very cautious, leading them to build in cost buffers and contingencies throughout their designs and that impacts estimated cost..
What the engineers are not as good at is identifying sources of funding like grants, low interest rate loans, congressional earmarks, and other programs to help reduce the overall cost of well-defined and supported projects.
These funding options are positioned to provide significant support, in many cases millions of dollars per project.
However, you cannot successfully pursue these funding options without a project design. The series of delays have allowed details related to the potential costs to surface, but without a completed plan, it has not allowed for the possible funding support to be defined.
There are several avenues when pursuing project funding and in many cases they can be combined, provided there is good planning. Listed below, we have a brief summary of programs we are aware of and the possible funding they offer. We have begun the process for several of these programs, but do not have completed applications or determinations of funding, Please note we may not qualify for the full range of these as all award ranges are subject to the application process and review.
The next steps would include professional support from financial experts and grant administrators to complete the required documents and make a clear case for why we should be funded.
Key State-Level Grants:
Michigan’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program offers both low-interest loans and principal forgiveness (effectively grants) for wastewater infrastructure:
– The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) provides funding for wastewater system improvements
– Communities serving populations under 10,000 may qualify for additional principal forgiveness
– Disadvantaged community status can increase grant eligibility
Funding Options:
– $1.1B funding annually
– Principal forgiveness (grant portion): Typically $500,000 – $2 million per project
– Additional loan amounts available up to $20 million+
– Disadvantaged communities can receive up to 75% principal forgiveness on qualified projects
MI Clean Water Plan:
– Provides dedicated funding for wastewater infrastructure
– Includes specific allocations for small and rural communities
– Application process typically runs through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Funding Options:
– Varies based on need and project design
Federal Grant Options:
USDA Rural Development:
– Water & Waste Disposal Grants
– Special emphasis on communities with populations under 10,000
– Grant/loan combinations available based on median household income and project feasibility
Funding Options:
– Grant portions typically range from $500,000 – $3 million
– Can cover up to 75% of project costs for communities with greatest need
– Maximum combined grant/loan package can reach $20 million+
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
– Small and Rural Communities Water Infrastructure Improvements grants
– Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants Program
– Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) funding through FEMA
Funding Options:
– Small/Rural Communities grants: $1 million – $5 million per project
– Sewer Overflow grants: $2 million – $10 million per project
– BRIC funding: Variable, but infrastructure projects often range from $5-15 million
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Funding:
– Significant new funding allocated for water infrastructure
– Both competitive grants and formula-based funding available
– Administered through existing state and federal programs
We have not had the opportunity to fully explore this option or its viability going forward.
Questions people ask whenever we talk about sewer.
Still have questions? Plan to attend an upcoming meeting where subject-matter experts and local leaders can answer them.
What is the project going to cost?
The original estimated project costs from 2022 depend on the option chosen (see Feasibility Study). Before any grant funds, the three possible solutions range from $9.5M to $12.5M.
Due to inflation the estimates are anticipated to be in the $14M range, but further design is required to confirm options and possible cost savings.
What criteria did you use to determine who is in the district?
The proposed district is not final, but it was created with these principles in mind:
- Consider properties bordering the lake
- Consider properties with soils not conducive to on-site treatment
- Consider excluding properties that meet full Allegan Health Department regulations – without the need for variances or concessions
There is the opportunity for properties to be added and we are open to considering justification for the exclusion of select properties based on these principles (within the bounds of any state or federal regulations).
Will I have to pay if the parcel I own is empty?
The final details will be specified in the project plan, but we expect parcels that do not have a serviceable structure (water supply and waste collection) are not required to pay the district assessment. However, in the future, if a serviceable structure is built, it will be assessed for a share of the project cost.
Note: Many property owners on Miner Lake have adjacent but split parcels. It is recommended that those parcels be legally combined into a single parcel.
Is there available funding from the federal “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act”?
While the estimated project cost did not assume state or federal funds, the feasibility study does include potential options for grant or government funding.
What is more likely is the USDA Rural Development Water & Environmental Program which offers:
- 40-year term low-interest loans (Allegan Township would quality
- Grants up to 75% (note: it is unlikely we would qualify for much above 25%)
The guidelines for ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) allow local governments to apply their funds toward infrastructure projects such as wastewater or sewer. While not required to do so, the Allegan Township Board has expressed a willingness to apply a significant portion of the $465,000 received to a project on Miner Lake.
What engineering firm is preparing the plans?
The Allegan Township Boards selected Fleis & Vandenbrink to perform the feasibility study. The board will determine what firm is selected to complete any grant application(s) and final project plan.
When would construction start?
The exact start date is dependent on the final engineering plan and/or grant process, but it is unlikely to begin until 2026.
Who will own the system and be responsible for maintaining in the future?
Maintenance of the system will be performed by professionals, either from the City of Allegan or a firm contracted by Allegan Township.
How does the plan protect against development of the East End?
The proposed sewer district does not include “the East End” (undeveloped portion) of Miner Lake. Additionally, that land is unlikely to be developed given the nature of the soil and the Michigan EGLE designation as “Emergent Wetland.”
Won't we end up with more boats on the lake because people will build bigger homes?
We all appreciate the many great benefits of having property on Miner Lake, and one of those is that the lake is rarely overcrowded.
That said, there is currently no indication that the size of a house correlates to increased use of the lake. In fact, our experience from a prior assessment indicated many of the property owners in the larger homes were older and tended to use the lake less. Often, their use was limited to a pontoon boat or fishing boat.
Won't sewer mean more homes will be built?
In response to prior concern about uncontrolled development on Miner Lake, the Miner Lake leadership and Allegan Township Board have worked to establish reasonable zoning, minimum lake frontage for a dock, and anti-funneling ordinances. These actions were designed to prevent build-out on “back-lots” while respecting the rights of property owners to build on their own individual lots.
In the years since they were established, the ordinances have proven effective and the installation of sewer should not change that.
For the very few vacant lots on Miner Lake, a sewer project might allow the property owners to build if they choose to do so. However, any new construction would be subject to the established ordinances.
Will I be required to hook up?
How will the waste be treated?
- Alternative 1: Miner Lake Pressure Sewer System / City of Allegan Treatment
- Alternative 2: Pressure Sewer System / Township Lagoon
- Alternative 3: Pressure Sewer System / Township Septic / Drainfield System
The final engineering plan and/or grant process will further define the best option.
What will I be charged for monthly treatment?
The Miner Lake leadership has repeatedly advocated for rates that reflect usage differences between seasonal and year-round residents. The exact details are still to be determined.
If I have a current system, will it need to be removed?
Exact details will be finalized based on the project design. However, it is likely you will have the option of removing the system or abandoning it in place according to Allegan Health Department guidelines (likely crushing and backfilling old tanks).
We have done our best to answer these questions honestly. However, things may change as the project progresses. If we learn that any of these answers are incomplete or no longer accurate, we will update this page with new information as it becomes available.
Sewer is: Good for you. Good for the lake.
More Freedom
With sewer in place, the restrictions on how you use your property will dramatically decrease. You’ll be able to host, plant, flush, build, park, shower, sell… You won’t have to worry about the health department, the home inspector, or Mother Nature telling you what you can and can’t do.
Long-Term Solution
(and payment plan)
With sewer in place, you can stop altering your lifestyle and worrying about whether your system is going to make it another year. Sewer is a lifelong solution that you and future generations can rely on.
It’s almost certain that our project will qualify for a “Rural Development Loan.” Interest rates will be below market and the payment schedule will be over 40 years (appearing on your township tax bill).
Higher-Quality Water
Many factors impact the water quality of Miner Lake. But aging and undersized septic systems built on poor-quality soil are unquestionably having a negative impact. Everything that goes down our drains — from human waste to medications to micro-plastics — is harmful to Miner Lake. Sewer will remove those threats and let the lake heal.
With an individual septic system:
You are at the mercy of
Mother Nature and the Health Department.
An aging or undersized septic system:
-
Limits your ability to use as much water as you want. No long showers, soaking tubs, or back-to-back loads of laundry.
-
Limits your ability to host guests. Tired of debating how many people you can have over because of your system?
-
Limits your ability to flush after rainy days. Port-a-Potties or “if it’s yellow, let it mellow” aren’t fun or sanitary.
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Limits your ability to do laundry. Tired of having to haul baskets of dirty laundry to the laundromat or back home?
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Limits your ability to sell. If your system doesn’t pass inspection, your sale gets complicated and your sale price will be impacted.
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Limits your ability to build. Whether you want to add on, add an outbuilding, or plant a tree, your current system decreases how you can use your land.
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Limits your ability to budget. When your system fails, any possible replacement is a 5-figure expense that has to be paid now. You’ll either have to pay out of pocket or borrow at market rates.
Positive comments residents have made about sewer:
Thank you for the clear information and pursuing the grant options.
I know there are lots of factors that contribute to the lake’s quality, but getting rid of these old systems has got to help.
I have limited options for a replacement system and pump and haul will not work for our family.
I look forward to getting rid of the ugly mound and reclaiming our yard.
The thing I’m most excited about is being able to do laundry or take a long shower without needing to check the weather forecast.
We should have done this years ago, thank you for all the work to move this forward.
We get it. Not everyone agrees about sewer.
Different residents have different opinions and concerns.
The Miner Lake Property Owners Association Board, the Miner Lake Improvement Board, the Allegan Township Board, and the Allegan County Health Department all view sewer at Miner Lake as a good thing for the residents and the lake itself.
However, we also want to make sure those who have questions or concerns can voice them. Everyone in leadership is committing to providing clear, fact-based answers to anyone who asks for clarification. Association and Township Board Meetings are open to public comment.
We’re all neighbors who love the lake. Please let us know what you’re thinking.
You should be part of these conversations.
Meeting: Miner Lake Association
8:30 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2025 at the Allegan Township Hall
We’ll hold our annual spring meeting. Sewer will be topic of discussion, as will a number of other issues.
Meeting: Miner Lake Association
8:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at the Allegan Township Hall
We’ll hold our annual spring meeting. Sewer will be topic of discussion, as will a number of other issues.
Meeting: Miner Lake Association
8:30 a.m., Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Allegan Township Hall
We’ll hold our annual spring meeting. Sewer will be topic of discussion, as will a number of other issues.
Meeting: Allegan Township
7:30 p.m., Monday, June 6 at the Allegan Township Hall
The Miner Lake Sewer project is one item on the agenda for this monthly Township meeting. Attendees may speak publicly for up to 2 minutes.
Meeting: Miner Lake Association
8:30 a.m., Saturday, September 3 at the Allegan Township Hall
We’ll hold our annual fall meeting. Sewer will be a topic of discussion, as will a number of other issues.
Meeting: Miner Lake Association
8:30 a.m., Saturday, May 28 at the Allegan Township Hall
We’ll hold our annual spring meeting. Sewer will be a topic of discussion, as will a number of other issues.
Lastest Sewer News
UPDATE: Sewer Survey / Refreshed Project Plan
The Spring 2021 newsletter included a brief survey related to interest in sewer at Miner Lake. We know this can be a complicated and contenious topic. That is why we continue encouraging residents to complete and submit their survey – ideally, we want to hear from all...
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