Construction of a new water treatment system in Lyon Township has officially been given the green light.

Discussions regarding the need for a new system began approximately three years ago and officials are eager to move forward. The township’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve a contract with Ohio-based Artesian Of Pioneer Inc. for the construction of the system on Monday. Given the length of the process and the vetting the project has been through, Trustee Sean O’Neil said their decision was clearly “not a knee-jerk reaction by the board”.

O’Neil went on to say from every resident he’s talked to, he’s only heard good things and lots of support. He did however say there was “a lot of misinformation” being dispersed by a few individuals who were against it. No one spoke unfavorably of it at the board’s meeting during public comment. Officials did note that the contract does not require residents to connect to the system, nor are there future plans for such an initiative by the township.

Supervisor John Dolan says Ed Kidston, a South Lyon native and owner of Artesian of Pioneer Inc., is getting to work right away by filing necessary paperwork with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The current goal is to have one water tower and one treatment plant constructed and running in either late spring or early summer of next year.

Ultimately the plan is to have a second tower and plant constructed later on. Dolan says the township is still finalizing the location of the first tower, but that there are several options and many factors that come into play in that process. Bonds totaling $17 (m) million were authorized by the township for the project in July.

Dolan tells WHMI this is an exciting step and that the township can't wait to deliver "great water" to its residents. (DK)