LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced more than $2 million in grants were awarded recently under the umbrella of the MI Clean Water plan for 15 Michigan cities, villages and townships across the state. The assistance will help the communities better ensure safe, clean tap water for residents.

The grants boost overall state efforts to support local projects that improve water systems through work including replacing lead service lines, enhancing water affordability plans and connecting homes with contaminated drinking water wells to safe community water supplies.

Awarded Affordability and Planning Grants were the city of Iron River for $101,300 and Crystal Falls Township for $35,860.