MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Meridian Township will soon be seeing an extension to it's main water line. Younes Ishraidi, Chief Engineer, said that "We have a project that involves the water system in Meridian Township at two separate locations. The first location is on Grand River starting west of Van Atta by Wellington Estates, Wellington Drive I believe. East of that extending towards Van Atta and going beyond Van Atta. And that would be an extension of the main system, it's a 16 inch main."

The overall goal of the water extension is to better provide clean water for drinking and cleaning to residents and businesses near Grand River Avenue and Van Atta Road, including residents of Winslow's Mobile Home Park in Okemos.

Mike Duffy, Owner of the Mobile Home Park, sated to the Township Board that he has "...to test the water all the time, we have a person that tests it at least twice a week."

Ishraidi recalled that during the early stages of the project "the folks on Grand River had expressed interest for extending the water main service, and there actually was a signed petition, and the township board agreed to that and once we had that approval we went ahead and designed the project and obtained the permits, and basically the owners expressed interest in getting the township water."

Residents are not only concerned over the drinking quality, but having a main line closer to their homes could help prevent fire related accidents. 
Meridian Township resident Ali Damsaz recalled that "a few years back there was a fire across the street at the mobile home park, and the lady that was there, she died in that fire unfortunately, and I'm sure if this water comes, it will not just help us in drinking and the cost, bring the cost down, it also will help the township and the fire department, especially to make it more convenient for them to provide water during an accident or tragedy so that will not happen."

The Township expects to begin work on the water extension before the end of April of this year.