As the City of Wixom's consulting engineers, Hubbell, Roth & Clark (HRC) was hired to design improvements to provide the residents with a citywide comprehensive water system. Prior to 1997, the City's water system consisted of a collection of isolated well sites. Some were interconnected but most did not have sufficient storage capacity or fire fighting capability.   The estimated cost to make the desired improvements and connect to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) water supply system was $25.5 million.

HRC worked with the City to place on the November 1997 ballot, a question asking the residents if they were willing to authorize bonds to construct water system improvements.   The voters passed the ballot issue by nearly 4 to 1.

Next, HRC was authorized to prepare a Project Plan of the City's required improvements for submittal to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) for funding through their Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF).   This MDEQ program allows for low interest loans to community's that qualify based on system improvement needs.   In April of 1998, the City was notified that it qualified for and would receive funding through the DWRF for its system improvements.   This was the first (DWRF) loan granted in Michigan

At the end of 1998, construction commenced on the first of three segments of the City's new water system. 8" and 12" diameter water main was installed through a residential subdivision.   A 1.5 million gallon elevated water tower was also constructed.   A telemetry system was installed to allow the entire water system to be remotely controlled from the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant.   The construction cost of this segment was approximately $3.0 million.

In 1999, construction started on the southern half of the City's transmission mains.   These mains are the main backbone of the water system and distribute water to the residents and businesses along the major roads.   The mains ranged in size from 8" diameter to 20".   Also, 8" and 16" water main was installed in the last remaining subdivisions that were still using private individual wells.   The construction cost of the second segment was approximately $5.0 million.

In the spring of 2000, the third and final segment of the water system improvement program got under way.   This segment completed all of the remaining portions of the 12" through 20" diameter transmission mains within the City.   A meter/pressure reducing/booster station was installed at the point to which the City of Wixom intends to connect to DWSD water supply.   This prefabricated station was designed to look like a typical house in the adjacent neighborhood.   The construction cost of the final segment is approximately $6.1 million.  In all over 18 miles of water main installed.