Navid Mehram, chief engineer for the commissioner's office (our speaker) said it could take up to 100 years to completely replace all the lines which are past their expected life in Pontiac.The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's Office is continuing repair and replace parts of Pontiac's aging water and sewer system.
Over 50 percent of the water system in the city is over 80-years old with an estimated cost of $90 million projected for waterline replacement over the next 20 years. More than 40 percent of the city's sewer system is also over 80 years old, requiring $11 million in sewer line replacement over the next 20 years. They are searching for ways to become more energy efficient to cut back costs. Presently they are using a landfill and that is very costly and they could tell us they won't take any more of our waste. This is not unique to Pontiac. Michigan's sewer systems need an investment of $26 billion by 2030. It is a lengthy process even without waiting for financing to make the repairs.