The Big Rapids City Commission unanimously approved a wastewater treatment agreement between the City of Big Rapids and Big Rapids Charter Township, effective through August 2050.

Under the agreement, the City of Big Rapids will operate and maintain its wastewater treatment plant and collection system, accept township sewage, and calibrate entry point meters. Big Rapids Charter Township will maintain its own collection system, manage inflow and infiltration entering the city’s system, and pay the city based on metered sewage flow as outlined in the User Charge Report.

“This is sort of a long time coming,” said Mark Gifford, City of Big Rapids City Manager. “We have a long term contract that every five years is analyzed. We're a little behind that, but we have been working on it for a long time. (We) appreciate the partnership we have with their townships and running our wastewater system.”

This agreement, the first since the 1995 amended contract, ensures compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy regulations.

Both parties also adopted the 2024 User Charge System Report, which raises Big Rapids Charter Township’s rate from $5.46 to $6.06 per 1,000 gallons and Green Charter Township’s rate from $5.32 to $5.99 per 1,000 gallons, effective for usage starting Aug. 1, 2025, and billed from Sept. 1, 2025.

Green Charter Township has been approached about a similar agreement but has not yet signed one.

For more information, visit the meeting agenda notes here: AUGUST 4 BIG RAPIDS COMMISSION MEETING PACKET.