State’s Response to Sewage Complaints Leaves Miller Discontented

State’s Response to Sewage Complaints Leaves Miller Discontented

Top officials in Macomb County, particularly Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, expressed dissatisfaction over the state’s handling of their concerns about excessive sewage dumping from neighboring Oakland County. The unsettled matter has prompted these officials to contemplate strategizing legal actions against the state for its unsatisfactory resolution.

Miller voiced her concerns about Oakland County discharging semi-treated and occasionally untreated sewage into the Red Run Drain. This sewage ultimately streams through Macomb County and into Lake St. Clair. Claiming the state’s unwillingness to take initiative, she expressed her discontent in remarks, “The state is not willing to do anything,” she says.

The state’s resolution, which involves conducting a regional summit with the assistance of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, did not meet with Miller’s approval. The summit was planned to address the persistent sewage problems.

State Offers Explanation to Complaints

Director Phil Roos from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy addressed the aggrieved parties, detailing the state’s rationale behind the response. In his written note, Roos highlighted the importance of stakeholder involvement.

While he acknowledged the bright prospect of separating storm sewers and wastewater sewers as a solution, he noted that this approach could be financially heavy and might technically be infeasible. The state now allows a specific amount of partially treated sewage to be discharged during heavy rainfalls instead.

Any permit violators will be held accountable and corrections will be ensured, Roos assured. He commended and expressed gratitude for the communities that go beyond the legal expectations to manage sewage strategically, improve stormwater permeability, augment system capacity, and encourage water conservation.

Complaints Remained Unaddressed

Despite Roos’ reassurances, the Macomb officials were still left unsatisfied. Their primary concern revolved around Oakland County’s frequent and large discharges of untreated and partially treated overflows, which they find considerably unsettling. The officials believe these discharges to be in excess and illegal.

Miller emphasized that while Oakland disregards the issue, Macomb County will finalize projects that will significantly increase their sewage treatment and retention capacity. Their hope is to limit the discharging of partially treated sewage into the lake during heavy rainfalls to minimal occurrences. Miller strongly declared, “Even though the state permits us to do it, we don’t want to do it anymore.”

Positive Strides Amid Concerns

Despite the prominent sewage concerns, Miller and other officials maintained an optimistic and celebratory attitude during the annual State of the Lake event. They recognized the positive impacts and benefits of lake gracing the county.

Among other things, the officials pointed out the importance of the lake, the contribution of county’s waterways to its economy, and a number of forthcoming developments related to the county’s Blue Economy. These included undertaking a feasibility study for developing a hotel and convention center near the water, launching a $1 million grant-back project, and conducting a 2023 Lake St. Clair Coastal Study.

Despite the detailed state response and the undertakings of Macomb County, the enduring discontent of officials like Miller highlights that the struggle to achieve a successful and agreeable resolution to the sewage issue remains.