(LANSING) – Two Southwest Michigan communities are getting money from a State agency to help with replacement of lead water lines.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has announced that $27.1 million in MI Clean Water grants have been awarded to upgrade water infrastructure, protect health and the environment.

The Village of Vicksburg and the City of Dowagiac are both receiving $600,000 to be used for work in identifying or verifying lead service lines in preparation for replacement.

The process to accomplish this effort includes hydrovacing on either side of each curb stop and performing in-building investigation to document service line materials. These projects include restoration to original condition of hydrovaced locations. Hydrovacing involves a piece of equipment using high-pressure water to cut and liquefy the soil, while simultaneously using a high-volume vacuum to remove the soil from the excavation.

The MI Clean Water Plan grants through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and support from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aim to help communities upgrade aging infrastructure, ensure healthy drinking water, and protect Michigan’s environment.