Mich. town is an example of neglected rural water systems, and why more don't seek government loans for upgrades

Many rural areas have substandard, long-neglected drinking-water systems. A small farming community in Michigan shows how that can happen and what it looks like at the local level. In Akron, which once had more than 500 people and fell to 366 by the 2020 census, "Shrinking populations, growing poverty, and diminished state and federal assistance have fueled a crisis of underfunded drinking water infrastructure," Lester Graham reports for NPR affiliate Michigan Radio. "Those problems often are compounded by a lack of qualified staff to keep up with water system operations and little to no expertise in applying for grants and loans that could help bolster utility budgets."

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The specific problems in Akron are that families use much more water than they did seventy years ago, when the water system was built, and locals also can't afford to maintain a too-big distribution system or replace a water tower at the end of its lifespan, Graham reports. Another problem is that Akron must now spend more money to executive state-required testing for lead, PFAs, and other toxic substances. 

Though there are state and federal loan programs meant to help communities afford water system upgrades, many communities don't apply for them. "They might not be able to afford the debt. Also, it takes a lot of money to hire contractors to determine a system’s assets," Graham reports. "That’s needed in order to apply for the loans. A lot of these small towns don’t have the expertise needed to fill out an application on their own. It’s a big expense and there’s no guarantee the town will get a loan or grant."