The South Clay Hill neighborhood in Muskegon faced a critical issue with the aging 90-year-old Beidler trunk sanitary sewer, which served over 400 homes and businesses. Prone to frequent failures and located in difficult-to-access areas, the sewer collapsed during Thanksgiving 2019, causing significant backups. Emergency pumps were quickly installed to restore flow, and a trenchless repair method was used to minimize disruption, allowing a new pipe to be installed through existing manholes without major excavation.
Following this emergency repair, a more comprehensive replacement project was initiated. This was not just a standard sewer upgrade—it was an opportunity to rethink the system’s entire design for long-term durability and efficiency. The project team took a fresh approach, focusing on resolving long-standing issues. Aging pipes were replaced or lined, sewer flow was rerouted to a new lift station, and large sections of outdated infrastructure were abandoned to prevent future risks. This redesign bypassed a problematic creek bed and addressed persistent grade issues.
Key improvements included a new lift station, nearly a mile of force main, 1.5 miles of new sewer, 2,600 feet of water main replacement, and full road reconstruction.
The project was funded with low-interest financing through Michigan’s EGLE Revolving Funds program. The City received 70 percent principal forgiveness on sewer work and 20 percent on drinking water improvements, offering significant savings to residents.
This project, the largest and most complex Muskegon has undertaken in decades, marked a transformative upgrade to the city’s infrastructure. By replacing the most at-risk sewer in the system, it dramatically improved reliability and set a new standard for future infrastructure projects.