Extreme weather threatens aging water infrastructure

March 2021

With extreme weather across the nation and the failure of water infrastructure systems in Texas, Michigan residents may be wondering if the state is up to dealing with extreme and unexpected weather conditions such as floods and tornadoes.

Local officials say extreme weather and infrastructure failure are nothing new in the state. From the occasional windstorm power outage to the annual reappearance of potholes in the roads, Michigan deals with weather-infrastructure problems regularly.

Meanwhile, Democratic members of Congress have introduced legislation to provide $34.85 billion nationwide annually for drinking water and wastewater improvements. Sponsors say it would create a water trust fund, give priority for grants to disadvantaged communities and provide more money for technical assistance to small, rural and Indigenous communities.