MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) - Water service is officially changing for hundreds of people in Muskegon County, after a historic intergovernmental agreement on Friday.

City leaders for Fruitport Township and Norton Shores signed a deal to start purchasing water from Muskegon, instead of Muskegon Heights, where the cities had been buying it for decades.  Both city leaders say after a long negotiation process, they could not reach a deal with Muskegon Heights.  The agreement is expected to lower water rates for customers in Fruitport and Norton Shores by a few dollars per bill.  Muskegon Mayor Stephen Gawron says the 30-year contract will provide customers with long-term security.

"What people take for granted is that when they turn on that tap in the morning they're getting clean, high quality water.  We are committed from here and for decades to come to provide that essential service," says Mayor Gawron.

Fruitport Township and Norton Shores will have to spend $6 million on new infrastructure.  The service change begins in 2015.