UP Gazette

State Representative Karl Bohnak, a Republican from Deerton, welcomed Ely Township Supervisor Jeremey Laasko to testify before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. The purpose was to support a significant funding request for upgrading Ely Township's water treatment facility.

"The Greenwood water system serves 141 households," stated Laasko. "This project request would entail a whole new housing facility for sand filters to take out the manganese and give quality water to every resident. This would be huge for the people in Greenwood and the burden that would be taken off their shoulders would be amazing."

Ely Township is seeking $1.9 million in state funding to enhance the Greenwood Water System Water Treatment Facility. The upgrade aims to remove manganese, an emerging contaminant that poses potential health risks. Currently, due to elevated levels of manganese, the township provides bottled water to households with infants under 12 months old.

"We cannot keep putting our residents at risk by delaying action on clean drinking water," said Bohnak. "No parent should have to question the safety of the water coming out of their tap. Supplying bottled water is not a long-term solution. It’s costly, unsustainable, and not healthy for our community. This essential project would resolve the problem and finally provide Greenwood residents with reliable access to clean, safe water."

Bohnak submitted the funding request through the House Appropriations process for Legislatively Directed Spending.